A.  A.  RXTCHER 

READING-,  PA. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/churchdesignsnotOOglas 


Copyright,  1917,  By 
AUGSBURG  PUBLISHING  HOUSE 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 


A-  A.  RITCHEB 

Reading,  pa. 


PREFACE 


IN  the  building  of  a church  the  difficulties  do 
not  lie  only  in  the  raising  of  the  necessary 
funds,  but  in  the  proper  expenditure  of  the 
same  as  well.  Proper  results  in  church  building 
cannot  be  obtained  without  proper  planning,  and 
proper  planning  can  be  done  only  with  the  aid 
of  a competent  architect. 

Mission  congregations  and  others,  aiming  to 
build  only  a small,  temporary  house  of  worship, 
may  be  inclined  to  think  that  they  cannot  afford, 
or  do  not  even  need  an  architect’s  assistance, 
while  in  fact  such  aid  is  relatively  as  valuable  in 
their  case  as  in  the  erection  of  larger  churches. 

Aiming  to  be  helpful  to  such  congregations  in 
this  matter,  the  undersigned  suggested,  some  years 
ago,  to  the  Board  of  Publication  of  the  United 
Church  that  they  publish  a book  of  designs  for 
church  buildings,  together  with  helpful  sugges- 
tions, and,  if  possible,  through  Augsburg  Publish- 
ing House,  arrange  for  plans  and  specifications  of 
such  buildings  to  be  furnished  the  above  men- 
tioned congregations  at  a nominal  cost. 

This  plan  was  approved  of  by  the  Board,  but 
was  widened  so  as  to  embrace  the  needs  in  this 
line  of  other  congregations  also  contemplating 
church  building.  The  Board  furthermore  thought 
that  suggestions  also  on  church  furnishings,  vest- 
ments, etc.,  should  be  included  in  the  scope  of  the 
book. 

To  carry  out  these  ideas,  the  Board  appointed 
a committee  consisting  of  Edw.  Mohn,  architect; 
E.  Waldeland,  manager  of  Augsburg  Publishing 
H ouse;  and  Oluf  Glas0e,  then  Superintendent  of 
Home  Missions.  This  committee,  again,  dele- 
gated to  the  last  named  member  the  task  of  ob- 
taining the  designs  and  writing  the  book,  the  other 
two  members  agreeing  to  assist  in  such  a way  as 
they  could. 

Architect  Mohn  furnished  designs  A,  B,  C,  I) 


and  E,  and  valuable  comments  on  church  archi- 
tecture, while  Mr.  Waldeland  made  it  financially 
possible  to  secure  the  able  co-operation  of  Archi- 
tect T.  Alvsaker,  of  Chicago,  who  is  thoroughly 
conversant  with  Norse  church  architecture  as  well 
as  Lutheran  church  architecture  in  general.  Mr. 
Alvsaker’s  contribution  is  here  represented  not 
only  by  designs  I. — XII.,  but  also  by  technical 
matter  otherwise  contained  in  the  book. 

Besides  the  contributions  by  the  above  named 
gentlemen,  Paul  E.  Kretzmann's  Short  Introduc- 
tion to  Church  Architecture  has  been  freely  used 
and  is  here  recommended  to  the  reader  who  may 
desire  a brief  synopsis  of  the  historical  origin  and 
development  of  the  Christian  church  edifice  in  its 
best  types  of  today. 

Short  essays  on  “Clerical  Vestments”,  “Para- 
mentics”,  and  “The  Individual  Communion  Cup” 
are  also  included  in  the  book,  and  it  is  hoped  that 
these  may  in  some  places  shed  welcome  light. 

The  book  has  been  a long  time  coming,  and 
many  have  expressed  disappointment  on  this 
score.  But  the  duties  as  Superintendent  left  the 
writer  little  time  for  such  extra  work,  and  gradu- 
ally also  health  failed  him,  so  that  the  work  of 
preparing  the  book  had  to  be  laid  aside.  Lately, 
however,  it  became  possible  to  take  up  the  work 
again  and  conclude  it. 

The  result  of  these  joint  efforts  is  in  the  read- 
er’s hands.  It  is  not  claimed  for  the  designs  here 
submitted,  that  they  are  a perfect  and  final  solu- 
tion of  the  problem  of  Lutheran  church  building, 
but  they  are  offered  rather  as  guiding  principles, 
pointing  the  direction  in  which  the  solution  of  this 
interesting  and  important  problem  lies,  to  the  end 
that  God  may  be  glorified  here  on  earth  and  His 
Church  be  served.  Oluf  Glas0e. 

Minneapolis,  Minn.,  May  17,  1916. 


INTRODUCTION 


DURING  the  three-quarter  century  since 
the  establishment  of  our  first  Norwegian 
Lutheran  congregation  in  this  country, 
our  church  architecture  has  been  guided  largely 
by  what  we  were  accustomed  to  in  “the  Old  Coun- 
try.” With  the  doctrines  we  brought  over  with  us 
from  our  Mother  Church  of  Norway,  we  brought 
also  ideas  as  to  how  the  church  building  should 
be,  both  as  to  outer  appearance  and  interior  ar- 
rangement. 

But  as  our  memories  from  the  Old  Country 
grow  dimmer  and  the  influences  of  our  present 
environment  obtain  a stronger  hold  on  us,  and 
especially  as  the  generation  born  and  grown  up 
here  steps  forward  to  control  our  church  affairs,  a 
significant  lurching  to  one  side  or  the  other  may  be 
noticed.  The  course  we  are  pursuing  will  no 
longer  be  guided  by  tradition  from  abroad,  but 
only  by  a clear  understanding  of  the  principles 
involved  and  by  a definite  stand  taken  on  these. 
It  is  gradually  becoming  a matter  of  individual 
conviction  rather  than  tradition.  Indeed,  we  are 
already  seriously  divided  on  the  question  of  how 
we  are  to  build  our  new  church. 

This  division  of  opinion  is  not  a matter  to  be 
settled  by  the  local  carpenter  or  even  by  architects 
of  the  Lutheran  faith,  though  these  may  properly 
be  consulted,  and  least  of  all  by  non-Lutheran 
architects  who  have  given  church  architecture  no 
special  study  or  have  anti-Lutheran  views  as  to 
what  a church  really  is,  but  it  must  be  settled  by 
our  building  committees  and  by  our  church  mem- 
bers generally,  just  as  they  would  settle  a doc- 
trinal controversy  or  a liturgical  question.  It  is  a 
question  that  in  reality  involves  both  of  these. 


For  our  church  will,  in  its  way,  reflect  our  doc- 
trines and  manner  of  conducting  our  church  wor- 
ship. 

We  have  arrived  at  a point  when  it  will  have 
to  be  determined  what  principles  our  Norwegian 
Lutheran  churches  to  be  built  shall  stand  for. 
Should  there,  on  the  whole,  be  a distinct  type  of 
Christian  church  architecture?  Should  there  be  a 
Lutheran  church  architecture  distinct  from  that 
of  other  religious  confessions?  Would  it  be 
proper  to  have  represented  in  this  also  the  Nor- 
wegian branch  of  the  Lutheran  church?  Is  there 
in  the  church  architecture  of  Norway  any  such 
distinct  national  features,  and  would  it  be  de- 
sirable in  this  country  to  preserve  these,  modified 
and  adapted?  To  all  these  questions  we  would 
answer  in  the  affirmative,  and  it  is  the  purpose  of 
this  little  book  to  be  helpful  to  those  building 
committees  and  church  members  generally  on 
whom  devolves  the  duty  of  determining  our  future 
course  in  church  building,  church  furnishing,  and 
church  decoration,  to  the  end  that  they  may  dis- 
charge it  with  some  appreciation  of  these  ques- 
tions, and  that  there  may  be  among  us  some 
measure  of  uniformity,  not  only  in  faith,  but  in 
practice  along  these  lines  as  well. 

Then  there  are  many  questions  on  practical 
points  arising  in  connection  with  the  general  prob- 
lem. On  these  we  would  offer  such  opinions  as 
we  have  arrived  at  through  some  study,  some 
experience,  and  considerable  observation.  We 
would  offer  these  in  the  way  of  suggestions,  hop- 
ing that,  in  some  cases  at  least,  they  may  prove  to 
be  of  some  help. 


THE  OLD  MIJSKEGO  CHURCH. 

Built  in  1844.  Removed  from  Muskego,  Wis..  to  the  U.  C.  Seminary  grounds  at  St.  Anthony 
Park.  One  of  the  first  Norwegian  Lutheran  churches  in  the  United  States. 


BETHLEHEM  NORWEGIAN  LUTHERAN  CHURCH,  MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN. 

Built  in  1899. 


CHURCH  BUILDING  AND  THE  ART  OF 

ARCHITECTURE 


THE  art  of  architecture,  like  other  arts,  has 
a life-and-death  struggle  on  its  hands  to 
escape  the  insistent  efforts  of  those  who 
would  reduce  it,  though  unconsciously  perhaps,  to 
a mere  commercial  commodity.  A grave  charge 
on  this  score  is  frequently  lodged  against  our 
country,  and  the  charge,  it  will  have  to  be  ad- 
mitted, is  well  sustained  by  shocking  evidence  to 
be  seen  on  every  hand. 

Architects,  we  believe,  are  not,  as  a rule,  un- 
mindful of  the  fact  that  they  should  be  artists, 
and  endeavor  also  to  live  up  to  the  ideal.  But  the 
public,  when  coming  to  them  with  their  building 
problems,  are  prone  not  to  approach  these  from 
an  artist’s  point  of  view,  but  rather  permit  utili- 
tarian considerations  to  take  up  their  whole  at- 
tention, and  they  may  even  wave  aside  the  archi- 
tect’s suggestions  as  to  making  the  building 
beautiful  as  well  as  serviceable.  This  they  do, 
really  not  because  they  do  not  care  whether  their 
building  be  made  to  conform  to  requirements  of 
art,  but  rather  because  of  their  mistaken  notion 
that  building  artistically  involves  so  much  more 
expense  anci  is  for  this  reason  beyond  their  ability. 
With  an  artist’s  assistance,  however,  it  is  just  as 
economical  to  erect  a pretty  building  as  an  ugly 
one,  and  much  more  satisfactory  to  owner  and 
community. 

But  while  a man  about  to  build  a blacksmith 
shop  or  a business  block  might  be  excused  for 
forgetting  the  requirements  of  art  in  that  connec- 
tion, a congregation  contemplating  the  erection 
of  a church,  a house  of  worship,  a “house  of 
God,”  ought,  surely,  to  be  held  to  strict  account 
for  the  way  it  disregards  or  lives  up  to  the  eternal 
“law  of  the  fitness  of  things.” 

In  plan  and  architecture  the  church  building 
must  show  distinctly  its  purpose,  he  inspiring  to 
worship,  noble  thoughts  and  action.  It  must  be 
absolutely  sincere  in  design,  workmanship  and  use 
of  materials.  It  should  represent  the  very  best 
effort  of  the  congregation  and  be  a sterling  monu- 
ment of  its  faith.  It  must  in  its  plan  and  design 
embody  the  principles  of  architectural  art  here 
applicable,  these  being  in  general  the  laws  of 
beauty  and  religious  expression,  carried  out  even 
;is  to  doctrinal  and  liturgical  requirements. 


But  while  the  principles  of  art  must  be  adhered 
to,  the  practical  requirements,  general  and  local, 
including  the  limits  of  purse,  cannot  be  over- 
looked. These  two  considerations  must  go  hand 
in  hand.  To  make  this  combination  possible 
locally  is  the  great  problem  for  every  congrega- 
tion about  to  build  a church. 

Hence  it  will  be  seen  that  the  planning  of  a 
church  is  a very  complex  problem,  involving  more 
thought  and  care  than  the  planning  and  designing 
of  almost  any  other  building  and  should  be  ap- 
proached with  proper  preparation  and  study. 

CHAPEL  OR  CHURCH  ? 

In  the  case  of  mission  congregations  as  well  as 
smaller  self-sustaining  congregations  newly  or- 
ganized, more  or  less  subject  to  change  as  con- 
ditions develop  and  the  center  of  membership 
shifts,  it  is  advisable,  when  building  of  church  is 
considered,  to  take  into  account  this  uncertain 
state  of  things,  and  erect  a house  of  worship,  inex- 
pensive, capable  of  being  moved  to  some  other 
location  or  even  of  being  converted  into  some 
other  kind  of  building,  a dwelling  house,  for  in- 
stance. It  is  a mistake  when  such  congregations 
without  due  circumspection  build  an  expensive 
structure,  even  though  it  be  only  of  frame,  and  ex- 
pend perhaps  from  $500  to  $1000  on  a tower, 
which  investment  may  become  a total  loss,  or  even 
worse.  Of  course,  it  may  be  argued  here  that  such 
a tower  had  in  its  way  for  the  time  being  served 
the  congregation,  thus  repaying  its  cost.  In  such 
cases,  however,  not  a church,  but  rather  a chapel 
should  be  built,  the  burden  of  the  cost  of  such 
tower  thus  being  avoided,  besides  leaving  the 
building  in  better  shape  for  being  moved  or  con- 
verted to  some  other  use.  Both  outside  and  inside 
appearance  of  such  chapel  may  and  should  be 
made  quite  churchly  and  well  suited  to  the 
liturgical  requirements  of  the  congregation  wor- 
shipping there.  (See  designs  A and  B,  pp.  22-29.) 

It  is  a mistake  also  when  such  temporary,  inex- 
pensive house  of  worship  is  built  without  due 
regard  to  the  laws  of  architectural  art  in  general 
and  of  the  art  of  church  architecture.  For  just 
when  the  congregation  is  in  this  formative  period 
it  needs  every  influence  to  help  it  along  on  the 


THE  CHURCH  SITE 


right  way.  The  members  are  to  learn  to  go  to 
church  as  well  as  to  worship  God  when  they  come 
there,  and  the  character  of  the  house  of  worship 
is  by  no  means  an  unimportant  factor  in  this  de- 
velopment. 

But  if  the  congregation  is  well  past  the  stage 
of  uncertainty  both  as  to  territory  and  growth,  a 
church  building  proper  should  be  erected,  having 
a tower  with  belfry  and  spire  and  being  of  per- 
manent material,  brick  or  stone,  if  the  congrega- 
tion can  possibly  afford  it. 

NEW  CHURCH 

In  case  of  old  congregations,  which  have  been 
worshipping  in  the  frame  church  built  when  the 
congregation  was  young  and  financially  weak,  and 
have  outgrown  the  church  accommodations  that 
they  started  out  with,  and  perhaps  have  added  to 
or  remodeled  the  church  since  then  and  need  a 
new  church  home,  in  keeping  with  the  better  home 
conveniences  of  the  average  individual  member, 
— in  the  case  of  such  old,  strong,  well-to-do  con- 
gregations, the  old  frame  church  is  now  generally 
being  replaced  with  new,  larger  and  better  church 
edifices  and,  of  course,  erected  of  permanent 
material. 

OUR  AIM 

It  is  to  the  above  mentioned  classes  of  congre- 
gations among  us  that  this  little  book  would  offer 
hints  and  suggestions,  in  an  endeavor  to  help 
them,  in  each  case,  to  get  what  they  should  have 
for  their  money  in  the  line  of  house  for 
worship. 

Especially  would  we  offer  hints  to  those  who 
are  seeking  a competent  architect  to  guide  and 
help  them  (see  page  110)  by  pointing  the  way  to 
such  architect.  In  case  such  help  on  our  part  is 
not  accepted  we  would  do  the  next  best  thing:  give 
the  congregations  certain  principles  and  points 
which  they  might  require  of  their  architect  that 
he  give  heed  to.  We  would  also  help  such  archi- 
tect to  give  our  Lutheran  congregations  churches 
suited  to  our  Lutheran  doctrine  and  liturgical  re- 
quirements. In  a number  of  cases  our  congrega- 
tions have  entrusted  to  architects  altogether  un- 
familiar with  our  Lutheran  requirements  in 
church  architecture,  or  at  least  unsympathetic  as 
to  these,  the  planning  and  designing  of  their  new 
church.  In  such  cases  the  results  are  sad  to 
behold. 

I hen  we  would  also  offer  to  congregations 
hints  and  suggestions  on  practical  points  in  con- 
nection with  the  selecting  of  location  and  site  for 
church,  church  furnishings,  church  vestments,  etc. 


Selecting  the  site  for  the  church  is  one  of  the 
first  practical  problems  which  a congregation  en- 
counters. It  is  indeed  a problem.  There  the 
mistaken  self-interest  of  individual  members  will 
often  run  counter  to  the  interests  of  the  congre- 
gation as  a whole.  Very  often  the  men  who  have 
the  means  to  contribute  most  liberally  to  the 
building  fund  are  the  ones  who  seek  the  greatest 
personal  advantages.  Very  often  these  men  cal- 
culate that  the  location  of  the  church  near  their 
property  may  enhance  the  value  of  their  land. 
Or,  if  the  cemetery  is  to  be  near  the  church 
(which  it  ought  not  to  be  if  ever  the  congregation 
should  wish  to  build  a parsonage  right  by  the 
church),  as  is  often  the  case  in  the  country,  they 
may  calculate  that  it  is  undesirable  to  have  the 
church  located  near  their  holdings.  Then,  again, 
the  distance  they  would  have  to  go  to  get  to  their 
church  may  determine  their  stand.  Usually  people 
would  prefer,  naturally,  to  have  the  church  near 
by  both  for  the  convenience  of  the  grown-ups 
attending  the  church  as  well  as  for  the  children 
attending  Sunday  school. 

Many  congregations  have  gone  to  pieces  on 
this  rock  of  selfishness  in  connection  with  selecting 
the  church  site.  T he  pastor  should  therefore  ap- 
proach this  problem  prayerfully  and  with  great 
care  and  with  warning  to  the  congregation  lest 
they  yield  to  individual,  selfish  considerations  to 
the  hurt  of  the  congregation  as  a whole  and  to  its 
influence  for  good  in  the  community  generally.  In 
endeavoring  to  be  neutral  the  pastor  should  not 
refrain  from  pointing  out  the  considerations  that 
ought  to  prevail  in  the  choice  of  site.  It  would  be 
cowardly  and  unfaithful  in  him  to  be  silent  when 
he  sees  the  influences  of  darkness  at  work  de- 
stroying the  future  of  the  congregation  by  locating 
the  church  in  a place  where  its  general  and  future 
usefulness  would  be  impaired. 

In  the  country,  the  church  should  be  located  so 
as  to  be  easily  accessible  from  all  sections  of  the 
congregation  as  far  as  roads  are  concerned.  I hen, 
too,  it  should  be  built  on  a piece  of  ground  having 
a commanding  location  in  the  community,  so  that 
even  the  church  edifice  may  exert  its  silent  influ- 
ence for  a more  elevated,  beautiful,  inspiring  life 
on  everyone  passing  by.  It  would  be  well  if  even 
in  our  times  the  people  going  to  church  might 
“go  up”  to  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

The  church  should  be  located  on  a piece  of 
ground  sheltered,  preferably  with  native  trees. 
On  the  prairies,  trees  should  be  planted  all  around 
the  church  property.  This  is  of  practical  im- 
portance both  in  winter  and  in  summer.  1 hen 
such  surroundings  would  also  be  symbolic  of  the 
protection  and  rest  offered  by  the  church,  where 


the  Lord  extends  His  invitation  to  all  those  who 
are  “weary  and  heavy  laden”  to  come  unto  Him 
for  rest. 

It  is  indeed  unfortunate  that  so  many  congre- 
gations allow  their  church  building  to  stand  on  a 
bleak,  bare  and  forsaken  looking  spot,  without  a 
tree  or  a shrub  offering  shelter  or  rest,  perhaps 
not  even  with  a fence  around  it  to  prevent  tres- 
passing and  desecration  by  man  or  beast,  and  all 
this  while  the  individual  members  thoughtfully 
and  tastefully  and  sometimes  with  considerable 
expenditure  of  money  and  labor  have  provided 
their  homes  with  surroundings  both  restful  and 
artistic.  It  would  seem  an  easy  matter  to  get  up 
a “bee”  some  spring  day  and  plant  trees  and 
shrubs  around  the  church  grounds  and  even  em- 
bellish the  same  with  a lawn  in  place  of  the  weeds 
that  in  many  places  infest  and  dishgure  them. 

Where  the  members  of  a congregation  live  in 
and  around  a town,  be  the  same  ever  so  small,  it 
is,  of  course,  good  judgment  to  locate  the  church 
in  such  town.  All  roads,  both  winter  and  sum- 
mer, lead  to  town.  The  population  of  the  town 
will  grow  in  number  and  importance,  and  while 
the  farmers  can  easily  come  to  services  in  town  the 
town-people,  generally,  cannot  come  to  services 
in  the  country.  A congregation  alive  to  its  op- 
portunities for  mission  work  and  future  growth 
and  usefulness,  will  invariably  build  its  church 
in  town,  if  such  location  is  somewhat  central. 

When  building  the  church  in  a town,  in  a small 
town  out  on  the  mission  field,  for  instance,  the 
congregation  should  try  to  secure  sufficient  ground 
not  only  for  church,  but  for  parsonage  as  well. 
Lots  in  such  towns  are  comparatively  cheap.  Gen- 
erally the  owners  of  the  townsite  will  donate 
ground  for  church.  In  addition  to  such  lot  an 
adjoining  lot  or  two  should  be  bought  so  that 
the  congregation  may  not  be  hampered  in  its 
growth  by  a lack  of  space  for  church  property. 
In  very  many  instances  the  congregation  has  had 
to  rue  its  thoughtlessness  or  lack  of  foresight  on 
this  point.  The  foundations  of  church  work 
should  be  laid  in  faith  and  hope  and  wise  provi- 
sion for  the  future. 

We  see  in  our  country  a certain  church  organ- 
ization, of  a domineering  disposition  and  essen- 
tially political  as  far  as  its  management  and  pur- 
poses are  concerned,  reaching  out  for  power  and 
preeminence.  It  never  omits  an  opportunity  for 
pushing  its  magnificent  church  structures  up  to 
our  school  houses,  our  courthouses,  to  locations 
where  their  splendors  must  be  seen  from  every 
part  of  the  town,  to  the  end  that  everybody,  from 
the  school  children  and  the  powers  that  be  even 
to  the  casual  traveler  on  the  passing  trains,  shall 
be  impressed  with  its  powerful  presence.  While 


we  would  not  emulate  this  organization  in  its  am- 
bition for  a monopoly  in  religion  and  power,  yet 
it  is  well  for  us  not  to  overlook  the  importance 
of  a good  church  location.  It  is  well  that  we  try 
to  place  our  church  so  conspicuously  and  centrally 
that  its  gospel  message  may  reach  even  to  those 
who  are  not  in  the  habit  of  seeking  its  light  and 
going  out  of  their  way  for  its  guidance. 

As  to  practical  considerations  in  connection 
with  location  of  church  site  in  the  city,  it  is  almost 
superfluous  here  to  say  anything.  People  in  the 
city  are  quite  awake  on  most  of  the  points  (and 
there  are  many  of  them)  to  be  considered,  and  it 
is  hopeless  to  expect  that  all  advantages  sought 
will  be  realized.  The  point  likely  to  receive  least 
attention  in  this  connection  is  perhaps  as  to 
whether  the  site  is  properly  located  with  respect 
to  the  future  growth  of  the  congregation.  And 
yet  this  point  must  be  carefully  considered.  While 
there  may  be  no  prophets  in  the  congregation,  yet 
such  wisdom  and  foresight  as  the  congregation 
may  be  able  to  muster  must  here  be  taken  into 
service.  Many  deplorable  mistakes  have  been 
made  by  city  congregations  in  this  matter,  and  we 
should  be  both  willing  and  able  to  learn  some- 
thing from  them  and  profit  thereby. 

Attention  may  also  be  called  to  such  things  as 
surface  features  and  location  of  lot  with  respect 
to  surrounding  buildings.  Available  lots  are  often 
irregular  as  to  levels  of  surface.  If  these  irregu- 
larities can  be  taken  care  of  in  a skilful  way,  they 
may  give  a most  excellent  result  from  an  artist’s 
point  of  view  as  also  from  a practical  standpoint 
with  reference  to  convenience  of  access  to  the 
different  levels  of  the  building.  Lots  that  look 
very  useful — level  or  irregular — may  sometimes, 
when  studied  more  in  detail,  prove  to  be  costly  to 
build  upon.  Costly  foundations  and  lack  of 
access  to  water  supply  or  drainage  may  make  an 
otherwise  desirable  lot  very  costly  and  sometimes 
valueless  to  the  congregation.  If  the  lot  is  a large 
one  with  space  for  auxiliary  buildings  and  trees, 
the  church  can  be  kept  a distance  back  from  the 
sidewalk  line  with  good  results  and  without  risk 
of  being  hidden  away,  but  if  built  in  between  ex- 
isting houses,  the  church  has  to  be  kept  well  to 
the  front.  Otherwise  it  will  be  lost  to  the  general 
public,  only  the  old  members  of  the  congregation 
knowing  where  to  find  it.  In  case  only  one  lot  can 
be  secured,  and  that  perhaps  only  a small  one  too, 
it  should,  of  course,  be  a corner  location.  Then 
the  church  may  front  on  one  street  and  the  even- 
tual parsonage  to  the  rear  of  the  church  face  the 
other. 

The  surface  peculiarities  and  location  of  church 
lot  is  a most  important  matter  for  the  architect 
to  consider  when  about  to  plan  and  design  church 
on  same. 


ORIENTATION  OF  CHURCH 


By  the  orientation  of  the  church  is  meant  the 
proper  placing  of  the  church  structure  with  refer- 
ence to  the  east,  or  the  orient.  Prom  the  early 
times  (A.  D.  420)  of  the  Christian  Church  it  has 
been  customary  to  place  the  church  in  such  a way 
that  in  the  axis  of  the  building  the  altar  is  placed 
in  the  east  end  while  the  main  portal  is  in  the  west 
end.  While,  of  course,  this  is  not  absolutely  essen- 
tial, yet  the  custom  has  in  it  elements  of  sacred 
symbolism  not  to  be  overlooked.  “Prom  the 
orient  the  light!”  Christ,  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness, arose  with  the  rising  sun,  and  in  worshipping 
H im  the  Christian  congregation  faces  the  east. 
“The  choir  (chancel)  is  type  of  the  world  of 
transfiguration  toward  which  the  pilgrimage  of 
the  congregation  is  directed.  She  has  left  the 
world  and  through  Baptism  (at  the  dividing  line 
between  nave  and  chancel)  has  entered  the  holy 
place;  her  face  is  turned  to  the  east,  and  her 
progress  is  through  time  to  eternity.”  (Luthardt. ) 
“We  seek  the  One  to  come”  is  finely  expressed  in 
the  proper  orientation  of  a church. 

STYLE  OF  CHURCH 

While  the  matter  of  architectural  style  to  he 
followed  does  not  enter  into  the  problem  of 
church  building  as  the  average  member  of  the 
congregation  or  even  of  the  building  committee 
sees  it,  yet  this  is  one  of  the  first  things  to  deter- 
mine upon  in  the  planning  of  a church.  Not  that 
the  members  are  indifferent  as  to  “the  looks”  of 
the  church  both  outside  and  inside,  but  they  do 
not  understand  that  the  general  appearance  is  the 
product  of  the  particular  style  followed,  or  of  the 
unfortunate  mixing  of  different  styles,  or  of  the 
complete  absence  of  any  style.  Individual  likes  or 
dislikes  as  to  this  or  that  feature  should  never  be 
a deciding  factor  when  a new  church  building  is 
planned,  but  a particular  style  must  be  chosen  and 
consistently  followed  throughout  the  detailed 
parts  of  the  building  in  order  that  the  church 
resulting  may  in  appearance  be  a harmonious, 
pleasing  whole. 

1 he  styles  generally  recognized  as  the  best  in 
church  architecture  are  the  Romanesque  and  the 
Gothic. 

It  is  not  the  purpose  here  to  show  historically 
the  origin  and  evolution  of  church  architecture 
from  the  times  of  the  Apostles,  when  the  congre- 
gation met  for  worship  at  the  homes  of  the  mem- 
bers, to  the  present  day  with  its  inspiring  and 
architecturally  perfect  church  edifices  of  the 
Gothic  type.  Neither  is  it  the  purpose  to  show  how 
these  two  styles  of  architecture  mentioned,  after 
centuries  and  centuries  of  study  in  adaptation  and 
construction,  finally  were  evolved.  Those  who  are 


interested  in  this  subject  in  its  historical  and  tech- 
nical aspects  will  have  to  turn  elsewhere.  Suffice 
it  here  to  say  that  either  of  these  two  styles  may 
safely  be  followed  by  any  congregation  whether 
the  question  is  the  building  of  a chapel  merely  or 
a modest  little  frame  church  or  the  erection  of  a 
larger  house  of  worship  of  permanent  materials. 
To  the  layman  the  most  prominent  distinguishing 
features  are  the  rounded  arch  and  horizontal  lines 
of  the  Romanesque,  and  the  pointed  arch  and  the 
vertical  lines  of  the  Gothic  style.  Either  of  these 
styles  lends  itself  admirably  to  the  same  general 
inside  arrangement.  Compare  designs  V.,  VI., 
IX.,  X.,  XI.,  XII.  (Gothic)  and  IV.,  VII.,  VIII. 
( Romanesque) . 

As  we  approach  this  question  of  style  and 
character  of  architecture  to  be  carried  out  in  our 
church  to  be  built,  let  us  take  a survey  of  what 
may  be  seen  on  this  point  round  about  us  and 
learn  something  in  a general  way  as  to  what  we 
must  avoid. 

THINGS  TO  AVOID 

As  to  the  style  of  architecture  followed  in 
church  buildings  throughout  our  country,  particu- 
larly in  those  of  recent  erection  and  more  espe- 
cially such  as  are  built  by  certain  branches  of  the 
Protestant  church  and  hy  some  of  the  ultra-mod- 
ern, anti-Christian  religious  organizations  and 
societies — it  is  almost  hopeless  to  look  for  any. 
“But  the  most  terrible  aspect  of  this  matter  is  the 
fact  that  the  more  recent  the  building  the  greater 
the  monstrosity,  so  that  it  looks  as  though  the 
art  of  church  architecture  were  being  lost  in  our 
country.” 

We  could  on  this  topic  furnish  numerous  illus- 
trations of  the  most  shocking  kind,  specimens  that 
in  our  travels  throughout  the  length  and  breadth 
of  this  fair  land  we  have  observed.  I o attempt  to 
describe  them  by  word  is  hopeless.  Only  the 
camera  could  do  justice  to  the  hideous  realities. 
Many  of  them  are  conglomerations  of  various 
kinds  of  buildings;  theaters,  concert  halls,  libra- 
ries, club  houses,  art  galleries,  assembly  halls,  city 
halls,  school  houses,  fire  barns,  “cozy",  “home- 
like”-looking  bungalows,  wayside  inns,  etc.  Some 
of  them  follow  more  or  less  closely  one  or  the 
other  of  these  distinct  types  of  buildings,  presum- 
ably according  to  the  builders’  conception  of  what 
a church  stands  for.  Others  are  a cross  between 
two  or  three  of  these.  Finally,  others  strike  out 
for  new  and  strange  conceptions,  having  apparent- 
ly no  historical  connection  with  the  architectural 
art  of  the  past  or  relation  to  anything  of  the  kind 
in  the  present.  Whether  they  are  to  be  like  any- 
thing in  the  future  is  yet  to  be  seen. 

While  the  outside  appearance  of  these  would-be 


11 


church  buildings  is  a contradiction  or  a travesty 
upon  what  the  church  edifice  should  be,  the  inside 
arrangement,  construction  and  materials  used  are, 
if  possible,  still  more  destructive  of  true  religion 
and  architectural  art.  In  many  instances  the 
kitchen,  the  pantry,  the  dining  room,  the  parlors, 
the  gymnasium,  the  swimming  pool,  the  reading 
room  and  newspaper  files,  the  club  rooms  and  class 
rooms,  and  other  entertainment  facilities  seem  to 
have  been  considered  rather  than  the  auditorium, 
say  nothing  of  the  sanctuary,  which  is,  generally, 
either  lacking  altogether  or  occupied  by  the  ros- 
trum or  the  organ  and  choir,  which  do  not  belong 
there  at  all. 

PURPOSE  OF  THE  CHURCH 

What  does  the  church  edifice  stand  for  any- 
way? Is  it  merely  a meeting  place  for  the  con- 
gregation? Is  it  a place  where  a “preacher” 
gathers  people  around  him  to  sway  them  hither 
and  thither  by  his  eloquence  or  personality?  Is  it 
a place  where  some  kind  of  “scientific”  search  is 
made  for  morality  and  the  laws  governing  it?  Is 
it  a place  where  a circle  of  friends  meets  for  social 
amusements?  Is  it  a place  where  a “congrega- 
tion” may  meet  on  Sunday  for  an  hour’s  enter- 
tainment, listening  to  vocal  and  instrumental  music 
and  a discourse  on  some  timely  topic  of  local  in- 
terest, and  on  week  days  for  some  humanitarian 
endeavors?  Or  is  the  church  to  represent  on  earth 
the  abode  of  the  Most  High,  built  for  Him  by 
His  people  that  He  may  dwell  here  in  their  midst 
and  here  he  found  and  worshipped  by  them  with 
prayer,  praise  and  thanksgiving?  It  is  surely  not 
for  entertainment  or  things  worldly,  but  for  wor- 
ship in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

CONFORMITY  TO  PURPOSE 

The  purpose  of  the  church  building  will  deter- 
mine its  architecture,  naturally.  The  very  outside 
appearance  of  the  church  should  indicate  this,  and 
should  lift  our  soul  up  from  the  lower  levels  along 
which  we  are  prone  to  move  in  thought  and  ac- 
tion. It  should  point  us  to  the  skies  as  our  ulti- 
mate destination.  It  should  by  its  simple  grandeur 
be  to  us  an  inspiration  to  the  simple  life,  the 
honest  life,  the  upright  life,  a life  striving  heaven- 
ward. I he  church  should  therefore  not  be  low 
and  squatty.  It  should  not  be  square-topped  and 
finished,  hut  rather  symbolize  growth,  growth  up- 
ward. It  should  with  its  gables  and  its  spires  lift 
up  before  us  the  cross  of  our  crucified  Savior, 
symbolic  of  I Iis  redemption  and  the  life  we  should 
live,  as  if  to  say  to  us : “By  this  ye  shall  conquer !” 
\s  against  these  ideas  what  do  we  see?  Direct- 
ly opposed  to  these  principles  we  find  shallow 
artificiality  and  sham  on  every  hand.  On  a founda- 


tion of  concrete  blocks,  made  to  imitate  rock-faced 
stone,  is  built  a frame  structure,  covered  with 
brick  veneer  to  imitate  a solid  brick  building;  the 
tower  is  covered  with  tin,  stamped  and  painted 
like  the  brick  work  of  the  walls  below;  galvanized 
finials  and  crosses,  painted  and  sanded  to  imitate 
stone,  are  set  up  at  prominent  points;  surmounting 
the  spire  is  a weather  vane,  showing  which  way 
the  wind  blows,  some  figure  indicating  the  four 
cardinal  points  of  the  compass,  or  some  absolutely 
meaningless  figure — as  if  this  were  the  best  use 
that  could  be  made  of  a tall  and  expensive  church 
spire.  Inside  are  the  great  trusses  supporting  the 
roof.  They  are  massive  timbers,  honest  in  their 
simplicity,  dignified  in  their  utility,  but  they  are 
covered  up  and  hidden  by  a stamped  steel  ceiling, 
repeating  a hundred  times  a meaningless  and  ugly 
pattern.  The  window  glass  is  covered  with  paper, 
printed  in  colors  to  imitate  stained  glass.  The 
wood  work  and  furniture  are  of  pine,  painted  and 
grained  to  represent  oak.  The  organ  front  is 
covered  with  pasteboard  tubes,  made  to  look  like 
speaking  pipes,  but  useless,  worthless.  This  whole 
structure,  a mass  of  sham,  pretense,  hypocrisy,  is 
dedicated  to  the  Lord  and  His  Gospel  of  Truth! 

While  this  kind  of  church  building,  fortunately, 
is,  as  yet,  not  common  among  us  Norwegian  Lu- 
therans, so  many  of  these  mistakes  may  be  found 
among  us  already  that  it  is  high  time  that  atten- 
tion be  called  to  the  matter,  so  as  to  prevent,  if 
possible,  further  progress  in  this  wrong  direction. 
We  are  to  a great  extent  creatures  of  our  environ- 
ment, and  unless  we  are  aware  of  the  fact  that 
those  things  are  wrong,  leading  astray,  and  should 
therefore  be  avoided,  we  are  apt  to  follow  the 
examples  we  see  around  us  and  lose  this  great 
heritage  handed  down  to  us  in  the  churchly  models 
of  the  house  of  worship  of  our  Mother  Church. 

NORSE  CHURCH  ARCHITECTURE 

If  also  in  the  church  architecture  of  Norway 
there  is  anything  characteristic  and  truly  national 
bound  up  with  our  religion  such  as  we  have 
brought  it  with  us  to  this  country  and  deserving 
of  being  preserved,  it  would  seem  natural  and 
proper  that  we  retain  it,  provided  it  is  adapted,  or 
may  be  made  so,  to  our  present  needs.  In  present- 
ing the  accompanying  plans  an  attempt  has  been 
made  to  show  such  national  characteristics  and 
how  to  graft  them,  modified  and  adapted  to  our 
more  varied  conditions,  on  to  our  American  church 
architecture.  On  this  topic  we  will  quote  Architect 
Torgeir  Alvsaker. 

“The  Norwegian  type  of  church  is,  as  a rule,  a 
deep  building,  constructed  on  the  single  nave 
plan;  having  lower  side  aisles,  separated  from 
nave  proper  by  heavy  round  or  square  stone  col- 


12 


umns,  connected  with  arches  carrying  the  higher 
walls  of  the  central  nave.”  (See  design  D,  page 
35.)  “These  churches  are  always  constructed  with 
horizontal  floors,  with  straight  pews,  sometimes 
inclosed  by  doors  from  center  and  side  aisles. 

“There  is  a sharp  contrast  between  this  and  the 
modern  American  type  of  church,  the  latter  gen- 
erally having  a more  square  auditorium,  some- 
times even  wider  than  deep,  with  a floor  sloping 
toward  the  sanctuary,  or  saucer-shaped,  and  pewed 
with  circular  rows  of  seats  like  a theater. 

“These  assembly  halls  can  be  very  interesting, 
and  also  justified  when  the  size  of  the  auditorium 
demands  that  special  care  be  taken  to  secure  the 
best  of  acoustics.  But  these  auditoriums  do  not 
inspire  the  same  feeling  of  solemn  devotion  which 
involuntarily  seizes  one  as  he  enters  into  one  of 
the  many  time-honored  Norwegian  churches.  The 
deep,  lofty  nave,  with  an  unbroken  central  per- 
spective to  santuary  and  altar,  circumscribed  by 
high,  plainly  plastered  walls,  the  powerful  open 
timbered  roof,  losing  itself  in  the  twilight  of  its 
tracery,  creating  a frame  around  the  Sunday- 
spirited  men  and  women  as  in  devotion  they  pro- 
ceed up  the  central  aisle  of  the  nave — these  things, 
as  we  remember  them  from  our  childhood,  have 
imprinted  in  our  soul  a picture  of  solemn  devotion 
and  spiritual  festivity  that  we  have  difficulty  in 
finding  in  the  modern  church  of  America. 

“It  would  therefore  seem  justified  that  the 
Norwegian  American  church  people  preserve  here 
in  America  the  character  of  the  house  of  worship 
of  the  Mother  Church  of  Norway,  especially  since 
it  is  well  adapted  to  the  modified  use  required  of 
the  church  building  here.  It  is  also  gratifying  to 
notice  that  the  general  public  is  conscious  of  the 
fact  that  a building  of  this  character  is  to  be  built 
not  only  for  the  present,  but  also  for  the  coming 
generation  and  should  be  a worthy  monument  of 
our  time.” 

THE  NORSE  “STAVEKIRKE” 

“Perhaps  in  no  other  sphere  of  architecture 
have  the  Norwegians  created  a more  national  type 
of  building  than  in  their  church  architecture.  Ref- 
erence here  is  to  the  special  type  we  know  under 
the  name  of  Stavekirke.  Of  these  structures 
there  once  were  between  700  and  800  scattered 
throughout  the  country.  Even  if  their  foreign 
origin  can  be  proved  they  were  down  through  the 
times  so  masterly  developed  to  suit  the  climate  of 
the  country  and  the  material  used,  and  in  their 
general  features  and  details  so  worked  out  in  har- 
mony with  the  national  artistic  feeling,  that  the 
few  churches  that  are  now  remaining  of  this  tvpe 
stand  as  sacred  monuments  of  Norse  national 
architecture. 


“T  hese  churches  were  rather  small  buildings, 
with  dark  and  mystic  interior,  getting  its  light  only 
through  narrow  slits  in  the  walls,  very  suitable 
to  the  Roman  Catholic  services  then  conducted  in 
them.  Open  porches  (svalegange)  round  the 
nave  and  sanctuary  hide  the  lower  interior  walls. 
Being  cut  up  by  alternating  low  walls  and  sloping 
roofs  the  exterior  resembles  in  general  outline  a 
pyramid  and  is  covered  around  its  openings  and 
other  principal  features  with  highly  developed  or- 
naments in  wood  carving. 

“Stavekirken’s  character  has  been  utilized  to 
some  extent  in  modern  buildings  sacred  as  well  as 
profane — in  Norway  and  abroad,  and  is  here  used 
in  design  I.,  as  a whole,  and  in  details  for  designs 
II.  and  III.”  (Alvsaker.) 

WHAT  A LUTHERAN  CHURCH  EDIFICE 
SHOULD  TYPIFY 

Granting  that  other  religious  confessions  are 
building  churches  correctly  representing  them, 
what  characteristics  should  a church  building  em- 
body in  order  to  typify  correctly  what  the  Lu- 
theran church  stands  for? 

Christianity.  In  various  ways  this  may  be 
symbolized  in  the  Christian  style  of  architecture, 
but  perhaps  by  nothing  better  than  by  the  cruci- 
form ground  plan.  The  cathedral  of  Trondhjem 
has  this  idea  well  carried  out.  (See  illustration 
on  following  page.)  Here  we  see  Christ’s 
body,  the  Christian  church,  in  pain  because  of  sin. 
But  on  this  ground  plan  the  beautiful  structure  is 
erected  in  the  Gothic  style  (which  might  more 
correctly  be  called  the  Christian  style),  with  its 
pointed  arches,  its  vertical  lines  and  its  fulness  of 
free  space  overhead  as  distinguishing  features,  all 
pointing  upward  in  faith  and  hope  to  the  crown 
of  victory  and  glory,  which  is  awaiting  the  church 
and  its  individual  members. 

But  this  idea  can  be  carried  out  in  the  humblest 
church  as  well,  provided  it  has  the  proper  place 
in  the  mind  of  the  one  who  designs  the  building. 
While  in  a small  frame  church  the  transept,  indi- 
cating the  arms  of  the  cross,  may  be  omitted,  the 
chancel  with  the  oval  of  the  apse  on  the  east  or 
farther  end,  forming  the  head  of  the  cross  and 
thus  also  the  head  of  the  church,  should  never  be 
lacking  in  a Lutheran  church.  It  is  a sad  mistake 
when  the  little  church  is  patterned  after  the  coun- 
try school  house  and  no  such  separate  part  to  the 
front  is  provided  for  in  the  plan,  as  the  idea  of 
Christianity  is  thus  not  typified  in  the  ground  plan 
of  the  church. 

T he  cross  surmounting  the  spire  or  the  gables 
or  over  the  entrance  is  to  the  casual  passer-by  per- 
haps the  best  emblem  of  Christianity.  1 herefore 
it  should  never  be  omitted  from  a Lutheran 


church  building.  As  nothing  else  it  is  the  emblem 
of  Christianity. 

Unity.  Although  it  might  seem  that  nothing 
is  more  characteristic  of  the  Lutheran  church, 
especially  in  this  country,  than  division  or  the 
apparent  lack  of  unity,  yet  in  its  doctrines  and 
aspirations,  in  its  simple  faith  in  Christ  as  the 
only  way  unto  salvation,  in  its  strict  adherence  to 
His  Word  and  Sacraments  as  the  only  channels 
through  which  this  salvation  comes  to  us,  and  in 
the  Lutheran  church  music,  we  yet  have  a com- 
mon basis  of  the  most  substantial  kind  on  which 
we  are  united  in  spirit  and  are  working  toward 
ultimate  unity  in  body  as  well. 

For  this  reason  a Lutheran  church  building 
should  symbolize  unity.  It  should  not  have  a 
number  of  detached  towers  and  additions  with  a 


number  of  entrances  and  exits,  so  one  can  hardly 
see  where  the  head  of  the  church  might  be.  The 
building,  like  a well  ordered  body,  should  form  a 
harmonious  whole. 

Simplicity  and  Sincerity.  All  ostentation  in 
design  and  ornamentation,  all  frills  and  gaudy 
finery,  all  pretense  and  sham  must  be  severely 
avoided.  Let  the  building  be  beautiful  in  its  sim- 
plicity, attractive  in  its  sincerity. 

Strength  and  Stability.  The  Lutheran 
faith  is  not  a passing  religious  fad  or  fancy,  but 
a return  to  first  principles  of  Christianity,  a re- 
turn to  the  unadulterated  Gospel  of  Christ.  It  is 
the  Apostolic  church  rehabilitated.  It  is,  there- 
fore, a permanent  faith,  it  is  established  on  the 
“Rock.”  Let,  therefore,  the  Lutheran  church 
edifice  typify  this  characteristic. 

\s  against  the  flimsiness  of  many  church  build- 


ings, swaying  in  construction  and  appearance  with 
every  wind  of  fad  and  fashion,  taking  on  all  sorts 
of  shapes  and  fantastic  innovations,  carrying  out 
the  individual  notions  and  fancies  of  this  man  or 
that  woman,  let  the  Lutheran  church  building  in 
its  design  and  materials  carefully  shun  all  flimsy 
contrivances  and  in  no  case  represent  individual 
notions,  but  cleave  steadfastly  to  well  established 
truths  in  church  style  and  construction ! In  the 
pointed  arch  of  the  Gothic  style,  bringing  all 
weight  directly  down  upon  the  supporting  columns 
without  any  pressure  outward,  in  its  buttresses 
and  its  free  use  of  the  lines  of  force,  there  is 
strength  and  stability. 

When  the  frame  church  of  the  formative  stage 
in  the  life  of  the  congregation  is  to  be  superseded 
by  a new,  more  adequate  structure,  let  this  be 


erected  of  permanent  materials,  brick  or  stone! 
These  materials,  while  intrinsically  of  a lasting 
quality,  and  therefore  in  the  end  more  economical 
than  frame,  always  give  the  building  also  an  ap- 
pearance of  permanency  and  stability,  which 
should  be  typified  in  a Lutheran  church  building. 
The  Lutheran  church  is  here  to  stay. 

Liturgical  and  Confessional  Usage.  This 
should  be  expressed  by  a Lutheran  church 
building,  especially  by  its  interior  arrangement. 
It  were  well  if  also  the  architect  would  note  this. 
This  does  not  mean  that  he  needs  become  a stu- 
dent of  theology,  but  it  is  necessary  for  him  in 
planning  and  designing  a church  building  for  a 
Lutheran  congregation  to  respect  doctrinal  re- 
quirements and  church  custom  and  to  know  what, 
in  an  architectural  way,  he  is  to  present  as  to  con- 
fessional and  liturgical  usage. 


While  on  the  one  hand  we  see  the  church 
service  narrowed  down  to  the  altar  service  only 
and  on  the  other  reduced  to  preaching  only,  so 
that  quite  properly  the  pastor  is  spoken  of  either 
as  the  “priest”  or  the  “preacher”,  and  either  the 
Sacraments  or  the  preaching  has  become  the  only 
means  through  which  God  may  operate  in  the 
hearts  of  men  unto  salvation,  the  Lutheran  church 
maintains  that  the  Means  of  Grace  are  three: 
Baptism,  the  Word,  and  the  Sacrament  of  the 
Altar.  This  doctrinal  position  must  be  expressed 
in  the  interior  arrangement  of  the  church  building. 

The  altar,  where  we  have  and  from  which  we 
may  receive  Christ’s  body  and  blood,  and  before 
which  our  prayers  and  praises  are  offered  up,  is 
the  principal  feature  of  the  interior  arrangement 
of  a Lutheran  church.  From  every  seat  the  altar 
should  be  seen.  Nothing  should  ever  be  placed 
before  or  over  it  in  such  a way  as  to  obscure  it 
or  detract  attention  from  it. 

It  is,  therefore,  quite  wrong  when  a pulpit  is 
placed  in  front  of  it  or  over  it.  What  then  should 
we  say  about  seating  directly  over  it  the  choir, 
with  their  bonnets  and  ribbons,  their  whisperings 
and  evolutions,  their  gesticulating  director  and  the 
soloists?  It  is  quite  natural  that  with  such  ar- 
rangement the  altar,  with  what  it  stands  for,  be- 
comes of  secondary  prominence  and  importance, 
is  gradually  pushed  aside  and  finally  disappears 
from  the  church  altogether. 

Leading  to  Christ  there  is,  on  the  one  hand, 
Baptism,  and  on  the  other  the  Word,  the  former 
being  the  means  through  which  the  infant  is 
brought  to  Christ,  and  the  preaching  being  simi- 
larly for  the  adult.  This  is  symbolized  by  placing 
the  baptismal  font  to  the  left  of  the  entrance  to 
the  chancel,  and  the  pulpit  to  the  right,  with  the 
altar  in  the  center  of  the  apse.  Through  the  one 
or  the  other  or  through  both  these  channels  Christ 
comes  to  us  or,  we  may  say,  we  come  to  Christ, 
whose  spiritual  presence  we  have  in  specially  pro- 
vided means  on  the  altar. 

From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  the  sanctuary  in 
a Lutheran  church  is  “holy  ground”  and  should 
be  reserved  for  the  altar,  while  at  the  chancel 
arch  and  forming  the  approaches,  as  it  were,  to 
the  sanctuary  are  the  font  and  pulpit.  The  space 
inside  the  chancel  arch  should,  therefore,  be  used 
exclusively  for  these  ministrations,  the  principal 
part  of  the  service.  “Prayer,  as  a secondary  part 
of  the  service,  must  be  given  due  consideration  in 
so  far  as  nothing  in  or  near  the  apse  should  draw 
the  attention  away. 

“7  he  subordinate  parts  of  the  Lutheran  service 
are  represented  by  the  organ  and  choir.  These 
auxiliary  factors,  in  spite  of  their  importance, 
must  never  be  given  the  same  prominence  as  the 


Means  of  Grace.”  (Kretzmann.)  As  may  be  in- 
ferred from  the  foregoing,  placing  them  in  the 
apse  would  be  wrong. 

PLACING  THE  CHOIR 

The  problem  of  placing  the  choir  and  organ 
properly  in  church  depends  for  its  solution  en- 
tirely upon  what  one  holds  to  be  the  proper  func- 
tion of  our  church  choir.  As  we  see  it,  our  choir  is 
not  here  to  entertain  the  congregation;  we  do  not 
go  to  church  on  Sunday  morning  to  be  entertained. 
The  choir  is  not  here,  primarily,  even  to  edify 
the  congregation;  we  turn  to  the  Means  of  Grace 
for  edification.  Neither  is  the  music  rendered  by 
the  choir  and  organ  a substitute  for  the  singing 
by  the  congregation;  the  congregation  cannot 
worship  God  by  proxy.  With  us  the  members  of 
the  choir  are  part  of  the  congregation,  and  as  such 
they  have  come  to  church  to  worship,  and  their 
song  should,  therefore,  be  directed  not  toward  the 
congregation,  but  toward  God,  whom  they  have 
come  to  worship  with  prayer,  praise  and  thanks- 
giving. Besides  being  in  the  church  to  worship, 
the  choir  is  generally  supposed  also  to  lead  and 
help  the  congregation  in  carrying  out  its  song-part 
in  the  liturgy,  the  singing  of  the  responses  and 
hymns. 

This  being  the  choir's  part  in  the  services, 
where  would  be  the  best  place  for  the  choir? 
Liturgically  considered  the  proper  place  for  the 
choir  is  opposite  the  chanting  pastor  as  he  faces 
the  congregation.  T his  places  the  choir  in  the 
gallery,  and  here,  too,  the  organ  should  be. 
Therefore  a choir  and  organ  loft  should  be  pro- 
vided in  a properly  planned  Lutheran  church,  at 
least  when  the  congregation  is  replacing  the  tem- 
porary frame  church  with  a new  permanent  struc- 
ture. 

It  is,  however,  well  known  that  this  is  not  an 
arrangement  that  meets  with  popular  approval. 
The  idea  of  listening  to  a church  choir  as  though 
it  were  a concert  chorus  has  penetrated  into  our 
churches,  and  people,  therefore,  wish  to  see  the 
performers,  especially  when  the  choir  renders  its 
anthems.  The  wrong  conception  of  the  proper 
function  of  the  church  choir  is  an  exceedingly 
troublesome  matter  to  deal  with  in  connection 
with  planning  a church. 

Not  the  least  disturbing  feature  of  the  church 
choir  in  front  is  the  director  who  so  far  misunder- 
stands his  function  and  overestimates  his  im- 
portance as  to  stand  up  in  front  of  a few  singers 
and  go  through  his  gesticulations  and  contortions, 
perhaps  to  the  amusement  of  a few  in  the  audi- 
ence, but  to  the  annoyance  and  dismay  of  the 
many  worshippers, — and  all  this  while  there 
is  no  necessity  for  it,  as  an  ordinary  church 


15 


choir  can  easily  render  their  little  anthem  without 
any  baton  being  swung  over  them.  If  the  choir  is 
placed  in  the  gallery  such  a director  can  at  least 
not  disturb  in  their  worship  any  but  the  choir 
members. 

While  the  proper  placing  of  the  choir  and  or- 
gan is  here  indicated  and  urged,  it  may  not  be 
amiss  to  point  out,  in  case  of  difficulties,  some 
alternative  solution  of  the  problem.  In  some  of 
the  plans  in  this  book  the  choir  and  organ  have 
been  placed  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel  in  a 
room  connected  with  the  chancel  by  a wide  and 
high  arch  and  also  with  the  auditorium  by  a high 
door-opening,  arched  over.  (See  designs  V.  and 
VII.)  While  music  rendered  in  this  room  can  be 
heard  very  well  in  the  auditorium,  the  choir,  by 
its  placing,  does  not  become  in  any  way  a disturb- 
ing factor.  I his  arrangement  is  also  better  for 
the  choir  members,  as  a more  conspicuous  position 
would  be  an  additional  strain  on  them  throughout 
the  services. 

A choir  placed  conspicuously  in  front  of  the 
congregation  should  invariably  be  robed.  In  at 
least  one  instance  among  us  the  pastor,  taking  up 
work  in  a church  with  this  unfortunate  placing  of 
choir  and  organ,  has  resorted  to  this  way  of  meet- 
ing the  difficulty.  A choir  properly  robed  in  white 
or  black  (all  alike)  will  not  only  cease  to  be  a 
disturbing  element,  but  may,  if  it  renders  its  part 
well,  add  greatly  to  the  spirituality  of  the  service. 

If,  unfortunately,  the  choir  must  be  placed  in 
the  front  part  of  the  auditorium,  to  one  or  the 
other  side  of  it,  the  choir  seats  should  be  placed 
so  that  the  occupants  will  be  facing  the  altar. 
Under  no  circumstances  should  the  choir  seats  be 
placed  so  that  the  occupants  face  squarely  or  even 
obliquely  the  congregation. 

PRACTICAL  REQUIREMENTS 

In  the  planning  of  a Lutheran  church  edifice,  it 
is  not  enough  to  satisfy  the  doctrinal  and  liturgical 
requirements;  the  practical  side  of  the  problem 
must  likewise  be  given  due  attention. 

ARRANGEMENT  OF  FORWARD  PART 
OF  CHURCH 

CHANCEL.  One  of  the  first  things  to  guard 
against  is  a misfit  chancel,  one  being  out  of  pro- 
portion to  size  of  nave,  or  perhaps  too  small, 
especially  for  communion  services.  The  chancel, 
in  the  center  of  which  we  have  the  semicircular 
altar  rail,  inside  of  which  again  the  sanctuary 
proper  may  be  said  to  be,  together  with  the  oval 
of  the  apse  proper,  where  the  altar  stands, — the 
width  of  this  space  should  be  at  least  one-half 
(better  still,  two-thirds)  the  width  of  the  nave, 


and  its  depth  should  be  at  least  two-thirds  its 
width,  and  should  be  elevated  by  one  or  three 
steps  above  floor  of  nave,  all  according  to  the 
length  of  the  latter.  Care  must  be  taken  that  be- 
tween the  altar  rail  and  the  wall  there  is  sufficient 
space  for  two  rows  of  communicants,  standing  one 
back  of  the  other.  Cramped  conditions  in  this 
part  of  the  church  tend  to  disturb  the  devotional 
mind. 

Placing  the  Altar.  The  altar  should  be 
placed  in  the  center  of  the  apse,  with  sufficient 
space  between  it  and  the  rear  wall  to  permit  per- 
sons passing. 

In  some  churches  the  floor  of  the  sanctuary  is 
elevated  one  step  above  the  chancel  floor.  This 
makes  it  necessary  for  the  pastor  to  stoop  rather 
much  when  administering  the  Sacrament  of  the 
Altar.  The  object  sought  by  such  elevation  may, 
however,  be  gained  by  placing  the  altar  on  an 
elevation  one  step  above  chancel  floor,  but  extend- 
ing such  elevation  only  three  or  four  feet  in  front 
of  the  altar,  thus  permitting  pastor  to  stand  on 
chancel  floor  level  when  serving  the  communi- 
cants. 

Place  for  the  Pulpit.  The  place  for  the 
pulpit  is  on  the  east  wall  of  the  nave,  as  near  the 
chancel  arch  as  possible,  the  steps  leading  up  to 
same  may  be  in  the  chancel,  if  the  chancel  is  of 
sufficient  width,  or  may  lead  from  the  sacristy 
through  a door  or  curtain. 

Sacristy.  Though  a subordinate  part  of  the 
church,  yet  the  sacristy  is  a very  important  part 
of  a Lutheran  church  building,  and  no  chapel  or 
church  should  be  built  without  such  room  for  the 
pastor.  The  place  for  it  is  preferably  on  the  south 
side  of  the  chancel,  but  never  on  the  east  end  of 
same,  the  apse  being,  as  it  were,  the  head  of  the 
church.  In  cities  it  may  often  be  used  as  a study 
or  office  of  pastor  and  should  be  made  accessible 
directly  from  the  street. 

Baptismal  Font.  By  Baptism  the  Christian 
is  received  into  the  congregation,  and  then  only 
has  he,  liturgically,  the  right  to  enter  into  the 
place  reserved  for  the  Means  of  Grace.  The 
baptismal  font  is  for  this  reason  placed  on  the 
north  side  of  the  chancel  near  the  chancel  arch  or, 
even  more  symbolically,  on  the  steps  rather  than 
inside. 

THE  NAVE,  OR  AUDITORIUM 

That  part  of  the  church  where  the  congrega- 
tion is  seated  is  called  the  nave,  from  a Latin 
word  signifying  a ship,  called  thus  since  the  early 
centuries  of  the  church.  Like  a ship  the  church  is 
thought  of  as  carrying  the  faithful  over  life's  tern- 


pestuous  sea  to  the  haven  of  the  blessed  beyond. 
For  this  reason  one  may  occasionally  find,  even  in 
our  day,  churches  where  a miniature  ship,  a well 
understood  symbol,  is  suspended  from  the  point  of 
the  chancel  arch.  As  in  our  day  the  term  nave  is 
not  so  generally  understood,  auditorium  is  fre- 
quently used  instead. 

Coming  to  the  nave  we  would  observe  that, 
ordinarily,  the  floor  should  be  level.  In  large 
churches  with  a long  nave  the  floor  may  be  slight- 
ly inclined  (three-fourths  of  an  inch  to  the  foot) 
toward  the  chancel.  In  small  frame  churches  it 
would  be  absurd  to  have  raised  floor — entirely 
unnecessary  and  very  inconvenient. 

GALLERY 

It  has  been  suggested  in  these  pages  that 
an  organ-loft  over  the  main  portal  be  provided, 
with  sufficient  space  also  for  choir.  In  some 
churches  we  find  this  gallery,  intended  originally 
for  the  choir  (and  later  also  for  the  organ)  only, 
extended  around  the  sides  of  the  auditorium,  yes, 
even  into  the  chancel  and  around  the  apse!  Con- 
siderations of  economy  usually  led  the  congrega- 
tion to  turn  to  the  expedient  of  such  extended 
gallery,  at  least  one  extending  half  way  along  the 
sides  of  the  auditorium.  While  such  gallery  may 
provide  considerable  additional  sittings  it  has 
been  observed  that  worshippers  do  not,  generally, 
like  to  worship  from  the  gallery.  It  will  be  ob- 
served that  while  the  main  floor  may  be  well  filled 
on  ordinary  Sunday  mornings,  the  gallery  is,  ex- 
cept for  the  choir,  well-nigh  empty.  Such  persons 
that  drift  into  the  church  with  motives  other  than 
worship  will,  however,  generally  be  found  in  the 
gallery,  and  frequently  they  are  there  a disturbing 
element.  This  is  the  case  especially  on  certain 
occasions  when  the  church  is  crowded. 

Aside  from  these  practical  considerations  rea- 
sons of  architectural  art  speak  against  such  ex- 
tended gallery,  inasmuch  as  it  disturbs  the  har- 
mony of  the  interior  arrangement  on  strictly 
church  lines,  and  by  the  depressing  feeling  it  pro- 
duces interferes  with  the  spiritual  uplift  and  free 
vision  upward  we  seek  in  church.  Besides  there 
are  liturgical  reasons  why  the  hearer  should  not 
look  down  upon  the  preacher  in  the  pulpit. 
“While  in  some  cases  the  extended  gallery  may  be 
a necessary  evil,  it  is  in  others  an  absolute  nui- 
sance.” 

ROOFS 

While  in  the  auditorium  let  us  consider  the 
problem  of  roofing.  For  small  and  medium 
sized  churches  the  only  practical  material 
and  construction  is  either  open  timbered  roofs, 
where  rafters  and  purlins  are  shown  and  there- 


fore dressed  and  ornamented  in  different  ways; 
or  roofs  where  the  constructive  members  are  cov- 
ered with  ceilings — horizontal  or  more  or  less 
following  the  outside  line  of  roof  proper. 

I he  first  mentioned  construction  gives  the  most 
churchly  and  imposing  effect,  but  is  also  more 
costly.  In  chapel  plans  (see  designs  A.  and  B. ) 
the  open  construction  does  not  need  to  cost  any 
more  or  even  as  much  as  the  other,  as  the  mate- 
rials may  be  used  in  the  rough  and  stained,  thus 
avoiding  the  expense  of  millwork.  In  this  way 
the  chapel,  though  small,  may  yet  have  consider- 
able height  of  roof. 

Where  the  building  is  comparatively  small,  not 
the  open  timbered  construction,  but  the  last  men- 
tioned should  be  selected.  Besides  the  matter  of 
cost  of  construction,  it  may  also  be  noticed  that 
the  open  timbered  roof  may  entail  some  difficulty 
in  the  matter  of  heating  in  winter,  especially  in 
the  more  northern,  rigorous  climate,  and  will  re- 
quire special  care  in  construction  on  this  account. 
Along  our  coasts  and  in  the  case  of  chapels  this 
matter  needs  not,  of  course,  be  considered. 

In  the  church  designs  I. -XI I.  inclusive,  all  roofs 
shown  are  constructed  as  open  timbered  roofs, 
some  of  them  (designs  VII.,  IX.,  and  X.),  richly 
ornamented.  On  others  (designs  III.,  IV.,  and 
VII.),  a dotted  line  indicates  an  alternative  ceil- 
ing. None  of  these  designs  are  suitable  for  hori- 
zontal ceiling,  as  the  walls  are  comparatively  low 
and  the  arched  opening  between  nave  and  chancel 
higher  than  side  walls. 

WINDOWS 

We  may  as  well  from  this  point  of  view 
also  look  at  the  windows.  I he  architect  will, 
of  course,  take  care  that  they  are,  as  to  arch,  in 
harmony  with  style  selected,  and,  as  to  size,  in 
proportion  to  dimensions  of  part  of  building 
where  placed.  In  frame  churches  built  without 
such  plans  by  competent  architects,  we  see  much  to 
be  deplored  in  the  matter  of  windows.  Generally, 
they  are  out  of  proportion  to  the  rest  of  the  build- 
ing and  misplaced. 

But  equally  serious  are  the  mistakes  made  in 
the  matter  of  colored  glass.  Familiar  to  most  of 
us  are  those  windows  with  large  panes  alternately 
red,  blue,  green,  yellow  and  purple;  or  with  ordi- 
nary glass  and  a border  of  smaller  square  lights, 
each  differing  from  the  next  in  color.  I his  is  a 
misguided  effort  to  get  something  better  than  the 
ordinary  plain  glass  windows,  and  the  result  is 
simply  the  opposite.  I he  lumber  dealer  who  sug- 
gests to  the  people  such  a travesty  on  art  glass 
windows  is  to  be  pitied  even  more  than  his  un- 
fortunate victims,  for  the  blame  will  be  upon  him 
for  “aiding  and  abetting”  such  atrocities.  Only 


17 


reliable  makers  of  art  glass  windows  should  be 
entrusted  with  furnishing  colored  glass  for  such 
purposes.  Such  a house  employs  competent  artists 
to  design  such  work,  and  cannot  afford  to  do  any- 
thing inartistic.  Care  should  be  taken  that  the 
glass  be  not  too  dark.  The  main  purpose  of  the 
windows  is,  that  in  the  daytime  they  shall  furnish 
the  necessary  light  for  worship,  even  on  a dark 
morning.  If  a congregation  cannot  afford  art 
glass  windows,  common  glass,  frosted  or  ribbed, 
for  instance,  will  do  very  well.  While  not  trans- 
parent, it  is  nevertheless  highly  translucent.  It 
colored  and  yet  inexpensive  glass  is  wanted,  “ham- 
mered cathedral,”  numbers  34,  35,  or,  preferably 
perhaps,  45  may  be  used. 

In  design  A (p.  27)  it  will  be  seen  that  the  win- 
dows are  placed  somewhat  high  on  the  chapel  wall. 
While  this  placing  looks  well  from  the  outside, 
the  inside  effect  is  equally  satisfactory,  as  they 
give  more  light  than  if  placed  lower  and  hence 
will  permit  a reduced  window  surface,  thus  afford- 
ing a saving  in  cost.  Besides,  with  the  windows 
placed  thus  the  little  congregation  inside  may  be 
more  undisturbed  in  its  worship,  even  though  the 
windows  are  of  plain  glass  and  are  without 
shades. 

SEATING  CAPACITY 

Another  practical  question  to  be  considered 
when  a new  church  is  being  planned  is  the  seat- 
ing capacity  of  the  church.  This  question  in- 
volves and  decides  the  size  of  the  whole  church, 
as  the  chancel  and  all  subordinate  rooms  must 
be  proportioned  to  size  of  nave,  or  auditorium. 
It  is  really  the  point  where  the  layman  should 
begin  when  he  considers  the  question  of  church 
building.  For  it  is  a practical  viewpoint  and 
places  him  before  facts  and  forms  familiar  to 
him.  When  a new  church  is  to  be  built  the  ques- 
tion to  be  asked  first  is  not  as  to  dimensions  of 
nave,  but  rather  as  to  what  its  seating  capacity 
should  be.  Having  determined  how  many  the 
church  should  seat,  it  will  be  easy  to  figure  out 
the  square  feet  of  nave,  when  we  bear  in  mind 
that  each  person  requires  a space  of  two  feet  eight 
inches  by  one  foot  six  inches.  Add  to  this  the 
space  for  the  aisles,  and  floor  space  is  decided. 

Then  the  question  arises:  How  is  this  floor 
space  to  be  arranged?  Is  it  to  be  a rectangle,  thus 
(111.  A),  or  what?  If  it  is  to  be  a rectangle, 
which  is  the  most  appropriate  form,  should  there 
be  added  a chancel,  thus  (III.  B)  ? Should  there 
furthermore  be  a transept,  thus  (111.  C),  which 
will  give  the  church  the  form  of  a Latin  cross?  Do 
you  next  want  a tower,  and  if  so,  where?  Where 
would  you  place  the  choir  and  organ?  In  this  way 
the  layman  may  arrive  at  some  definite  ideas  as  to 
what  the  main  features  of  the  church  should  be. 


Determining  the  seating  capacity  of  a church 
is,  therefore,  a rather  complex  problem  and  a 
difficult  one,  and  serious  errors  are  frequently 
made  on  this  point,  when  the  size  of  the  new 
church  is  being  determined  upon.  Visually  the 
seating  capacity  of  a church  is  overestimated. 
Very  careful  consideration  should  therefore  be 
given  to  the  proposed  size.  A new  church  that  is 
too  small  for  the  congregation  fails  of  its  purpose, 
and  if  it  is  too  large,  it  has  with  its  empty  sittings 
a cheerless  aspect  both  for  parishioner  and  clergy- 
man. For  economical  reasons,  also,  a church 
should  not  be  larger  than  is  really  necessary,  as 
the  cost  of  the  building,  both  for  erection  and 
maintenance,  is  almost  proportional  to  seating 
capacity. 

When  a new  church  is  planned,  conservative 
provision  should,  of  course,  be  made  for  a natural 
growth  of  the  congregation.  In  taking  care  of 


/ \ 


C 


this  and  to  avoid  many  empty  sittings,  it  would 
be  wise  to  pew  only  a part  of  the  church,  leaving 
ample  space  in  front  and  behind  the  pews,  and 
leaving  also  wide  aisles.  On  special  occasions 
the  open  space  thus  left  may  be  made  use  of  by 
placing  temporary  seats  accommodating  a large 
number  of  extra  persons. 

The  pews  for  all  designs  in  this  book  are 
straight  and  arranged  in  rows  of  uniform  length, 
as  this  affords  a greater  seating  capacity  than  any 
other  arrangement,  besides  being  also  the  cheap- 
est. The  pews  are  placed  32  inches  from  back  to 
back,  and  there  is  figured  an  18-inch  space  in  pew 
for  each  seat.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that 
the  method  of  computing  the  seats  is  uniform  for 
all  designs  here  shown,  and  that  the  churches 
actually  will  seat  a somewhat  larger  number  with- 
out crowding. 

THE  TOWER 

To  the  outside  observer  the  tower  of  a 
church  is,  perhaps,  the  most  prominent  feature 
and  often,  in  his  estimation,  makes  or  mars  the 


character  of  the  building.  Correct  propor- 
tions and  consistency  in  style  in  the  rest  of  the 
building  will  hardly  atone  for  blunders  as  to  the 
tower.  The  tower  is  to  symbolize  sturdy  strength 
in  tempestuous  times  and  is  to  serve  also  the  prac- 
tical purpose  of  furnishing  needed  inside  space 
and,  furthermore,  to  support  a belfry,  with  a 
heavy  bell,  perhaps.  Above  the  belfry  again  is  a 
tall  spire  which  is  literally  to  weather  the  severest 
storms. 

Originally  the  tower  was  detached  from  the 
church.  Gradually  the  incongruity  of  this  ar- 
rangement was  being  felt  more  and  more,  and 
efforts  were  finally  made  to  connect  church  and 
tower.  Today  no  one  would  think  of  having  it 
otherwise. 

To  successfully  design  and  construct  a tower 
as  an  integral  part  of  the  church  requires  archi- 
tectural good  taste,  trained  judgment  and  con- 
summate skill  in  the  science  of  construction.  It 
will,  therefore,  be  readily  seen  that  no  ordinary 
carpenter  or  builder,  a man  representing  a trade 
only,  but  an  artist,  an  architect,  trained  in  this 
particular  line  of  his  profession,  could  meet  these 
complex  requirements. 

BELFRY 

Having  already  mentioned  the  belfry,  we 
may  here  note  also  that  this  is  an  important 
factor  in  the  general  appearance  and  usefulness 
of  the  tower.  Its  construction  also,  may  more  or 
less  successfully  permit  the  sound  from  the  bell 
to  be  carried  into  the  surrounding  country.  Very 
often  blame  is  laid  at  the  door  of  the  bell  foun- 
ders which  really  belongs  to  the  incompetent  man 
who  planned  the  belfry. 

It  is  a bad  mistake  when  a belfry,  in  appearance 
suitable  enough  on  a school  house,  is  placed  on  a 
church,  as  this  blurs  one  of  the  sharp  lines  that 
should  distinguish  a church  from  a school  house. 
If  nothing  but  a school  house  belfry  and  a school 
house  bell  can  be  afforded  for  the  house  of  wor- 
ship, it  is  better  that  the  purchase  of  a bell  be 
postponed  until  a church  belfry  is  built  and  a 
church  bell  can  be  placed  there. 

SPIRE 

Churches  may  be  seen  where  the  belfry  com- 
pletes the  tower,  the  spire  being  omitted.  This 
style  of  tower  may  be  seen  especially  in  churches 
of  Anglican  connections.  The  purpose  of  the  spire 
may  be  said  to  point  us  to  the  skies.  It  has  also 
served  to  lift  the  cross  up  before  the  world  and 
thus  to  carry  abroad  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  In 
this  the  spire  serves  a useful  purpose.  However, 
if  it  can  not  be  made  to  perform  any  better  service 


than  to  show  by  a weathervane  which  way  the 
wind  blows,  it  is  good  judgment  to  omit  the  spire. 
But  it  is  safe  to  predict  that  our  people  will  retain 
the  spire,  and  the  cross  is  quite  generally  coming 
hack  to  its  place  on  top  of  it.  It  was  a misguided 
zeal  that  took  it  away  in  the  first  place. 

MATERIALS 

I he  church  must  be  built  of  the  best  materials 
the  congregation  can  afford.  If  money  for  more 
expensive  materials  cannot  be  raised,  cheaper  ones 
can  be  used  to  good  advantage,  if  used  with  good 
judgment  and  in  an  honest  manner.  There  is  no 
place  in  a church  for  the  use  of  artificial  marble 
or  grained  wood  imitating  oak.  This  may  well 
be  stated  again  here.  To  use  stamped  and  painted 
metal  plates  imitating  brick  or  brick  veneer  on  a 
wooden  wall  is  a sham  and  fraud.  It  is  as  if  the 
congregation  through  its  building  would  tear 
asunder  the  doctrines  their  pastor  preaches  from 
the  pulpit.  There  is  no  disgrace  in  honest  poverty. 

There  is,  besides,  always  a way  of  treating  the 
cheaper  materials  in  an  attractive  manner. 

The  selection  of  materials  will,  however,  de- 
pend not  only  upon  the  cost  of  materials,  but  also 
upon  the  style  of  building  and  local  conditions 
as  well. 

While  the  cost  will  always  be  an  important 
factor,  a clear  distinction  must  be  made  between 
initial  cost  and  maintenance  cost;  for  it  can  hap- 
pen that  a greater  initial  cost  will  make  a very 
good  investment  when  maintenance  through  a 
number  of  years  is  considered.  Tracery  windows 
in  wood,  or  wooden  columns  for  instance,  are 
often  used  instead  of  cut  stone,  brick  or  terra 
cotta,  and,  of  course,  are  much  cheaper  in  the 
beginning.  But  if  maintenance  cost  for  painting, 
etc.,  is  considered,  besides  also  this,  that  wood 
will  rot  out,  especially  in  concealed  places,  it  is  a 
question,  if  the  more  costly  but  lasting  materials 
would  not  be  cheaper  after  all. 

For  smaller  churches,  especially  such  as  are 
intended  for  service  during  a limited  number  of 
years,  frame  construction  with  siding  or  cement 
stucco  for  covering  of  outside  walls  can  very  well 
be  used,  when  the  funds  available  will  not  cover 
the  cost  of  a fireproof  building.  But  such  a build- 
ing will  cost  more  in  the  upkeep  than  one  of  stone 
or  brick. 

When  a congregation  wishes  to  replace  its  old, 
temporary  frame  church  with  a permanent  struc- 
ture, lasting  materials  should  be  used.  I he  last- 
ing materials  always  to  be  preferred  are  stone, 
brick  and  terra  cotta,  or  a combination  of  these 
materials.  In  using  these  materials  the  mainte- 
nance cost  will  be  practically  nothing,  and  these 
materials  will  always  give  the  most  monumental 


19 


effect.  For  smaller  churches  hollow  tile  or  con- 
crete blocks  can  be  used  for  walls  with  very  good 
results,  besides  being  comparatively  low  priced. 
The  surface  of  such  walls  should  be  covered  with 
cement  stucco.  Cement  blocks  should  never  be 
used  without  stucco  covering,  as  the  surface  of  a 
cement  block  has  a “dead”  texture;  and,  of  course, 
it  should  never  be  used  “rock-faced,”  imitating 
stone.  For  finishing  of  inside  walls  plaster  is  most 
generally  used.  It  is  the  cheapest  material  avail- 
able, but  requires  care  and  decoration.  The  more 
costly  finishing  of  inside  walls  for  fireproof 
churches  is  brick  or  different  kinds  of  cut  stone. 

As  for  roof,  the  materials  used  inside  should 
be  timbers,  left  open  to  view  or  covered  with 
ceiling  of  frame  or  plaster.  Pressed  metal  plates 
nailed  on  for  a ceiling  is  a cheap  looking  and  ill- 
fitting  substitute  for  the  always  proper  appearing 
plaster,  put  on  in  a workmanlike  manner  and 
finished  rough.  This  plaster  ceiling  may  then  be 
tinted  and  will  thus  give  general  satisfaction, 
while  it  is  also  the  most  economical. 

There  is  also  this  to  say  in  favor  of  rough  plas- 
ter for  interior  finish  of  walls  and  ceiling,  that  it 
lends  itself  readily  to  proper  decoration  by  fresco 
work,  if  such  can  be  afforded.  Papering  of  walls 
and  ceiling  instead  of  tinting  the  rough  plaster 
is  a mistake.  It  is  a sham  and  should  not  be  al- 
lowed inside  the  house  of  Truth. 

BASEMENT 

No  church  should  be  planned  without  provid- 
ing also  for  a basement  under  it.  Considering  the 
space  and  conveniences  obtained,  the  congregation 
gets  in  a basement  more  for  its  money  than  in 
any  other  part  of  the  building  at  equal  cost.  In 
the  country  the  members  can  generally  do  the  ex- 
cavating and  often  also  furnish  rock  and  sand 
necessary  for  walls  of  basement,  thus  saving  the 
cash  outlay  otherwise  necessary  for  materials. 
Although  a congregation  may  feel  obliged  to  try 
to  get  along  with  a stove  for  heating  purposes, 
temporarily  at  least,  some  day  it  may  want  to 
install  a furnace  anyway.  The  expense  of  digging 
and  doing  the  rest  of  the  work  then  will  be  much 
greater  and  the  results  will  never  be  satisfactory. 

If  the  congregation  does  not  have  the  money 
to  finish  the  basement,  the  excavation  and  the  put- 
ting up  of  the  walls,  at  least,  should  be  done.  A 
foundation  will  have  to  be  built  anyway,  and  just 
a little  more  work  will  be  needed  to  provide  for 
the  basement  space.  Then  the  congregation  can 
later,  when  it  feels  able  to,  take  up  the  matter  of 
finishing  it. 

Sometimes  the  congregation  may  not  be  able  to 
build  the  superstructure,  but  can  build  the  base- 
ment. This  may  then  be  roofed  over  with  a tem- 


porary roof  and  used  for  a place  of  worship  while 
the  congregation  gathers  strength  to  build  the 
church  proper. 

Besides  these  considerations  there  are  so  many 
ways  a well  lighted  and  sanitary  basement  may 
be  used  to  further  the  work  of  the  congregation, 
that  a pastor  without  such  quarters  to  work  in  is 
greatly  handicapped.  We  may  mention  the  Sun- 
day school  (Read  in  this  connection  page  74), 
parochial  school,  catechetical  class,  young  people’s 
meetings,  choir  practice,  ladies’  aid  doings,  semi- 
social gatherings  of  various  kinds,  lectures,  etc., 
all  of  which  do  not  strictly  belong  in  the  church 
proper,  but  should  be  provided  for  in  an  adequate 
way,  as  they  are  in  our  day  auxiliary  factors  in 
the  building  up  of  the  congregation.  With  a base- 
ment, all  these  agencies  can  be  properly  taken 
care  of  and  provided  for.  In  the  country  the  base- 
ment is  fully  as  necessary  as  in  the  town — unless 
a “Sunday-only”  church  is  wanted.  The  success 
or  failure  of  the  “rural  church”  as  a factor  in  the 
proper  moulding  of  the  community  spirit  is  to  a 
great  extent  dependent  on  the  church  basement. 
Through  wisely  selected  and  properly  conducted 
activities  in  the  church  basement,  much  may  be 
done  for  the  general  improvement  of  country  life. 

Flaving  a basement  in  which  the  above  men- 
tioned doings  can  be  conducted  will  also  tend  to 
build  up  in  the  mind  and  heart  of  the  members, 
especially  the  younger  ones,  the  proper  respect 
for  the  sacred  place  of  worship  and  the  devotional 
attitude  proper  before  the  Sanctuary,  around 
which  the  congregation  assembles  only  to  worship. 

In  the  basement  a kitchen,  furnace,  and  fuel 
rooms  and  other  necessary  conveniences  in  this 
connection  should  be  provided  for. 

Entrance  to  Basement.  It  may  not  be 
amiss  here  to  mention  also  the  proper  placing  of 
the  entrance  to  such  basement.  One  may  often 
see  the  main  entrance  to  basement  leading  down 
steps  open  to  the  weather.  Into  this  stairway  rain 
or  snow  may  fall,  and,  melting,  this  will  flow  into 
basement.  This  is  a thoughtless  arrangement  and 
a source  of  much  inconvenience  and  discomfort. 
It  is  an  inexcusable  blunder  on  the  part  of  the 
one  who  planned  the  church.  On  all  plans  in  this 
book  proper  arrangement  of  entrance  to  base- 
ment is  made.  Steps  leading  into  basement  should 
invariably  be  placed  inside  the  building;  note  for 
instance  designs  V.  and  IX. 

RETIRING  ROOM 

In  a properly  planned  and  somewhat  complete 
church  there  should  also  be  a “retiring  room”  for 
women  with  little  children.  Such  room  might  be 
provided  opposite  the  sacristy  as  on  Designs  D, 
VIII.  and  IX.,  or  immediately  to  the  left  of  the 


20 


entrance  hall  in  churches  where  there  is  a central 
entrance.  Where  there  is  a comfortable  basement 
easily  accessible  from  inside  of  church  such  base- 
ment may  be  made  to  serve  such  purpose. 

LIGHTING 

The  lighting  of  the  church  is  a subject  that  de- 
serves not  only  mention  here,  but  careful  atten- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  building  committee. 

In  the  country  where  churches  are  seldom  used 
in  the  evening,  the  lighting  may  not  be  a very 
important  matter.  And  yet,  even  there,  much 
fruitful  work  could  be  done  evenings  if  the 
churches  were  provided  with  sufficient  and  con- 
venient light.  Gasoline  should  now  take  the  place 
of  kerosene  also  in  our  country  churches. 

In  cities  or  towns  gas  or  electricity,  preferably 
the  latter,  is,  of  course,  the  only  light  to  be  con- 
sidered. The  placing  of  the  lights  should  in- 
variably be  incorporated  into  the  church  plans 
and  not  left  to  the  judgment  of  the  workmen,  nor 
should  it  be  left  entirely  to  the  architect  either. 
The  pastor  should  be  consulted  on  this  as  well  as 
on  other  points  of  the  church  building,  and  he 
should  be  at  least  an  advisory  member  of  the 
building  committee.  The  question  of  direct  or 
indirect  or  semi-indirect  light  may  profitably  be 
considered. 

The  lighting  may  also  be  carried  out  in  such  a 
way  as  powerfully  to  proclaim  in  a symbolic  way 
the  Gospel  truth.  In  one  church,  for  instance,  one 
may  see  lights  suspended  from  the  high  timbered 
ceiling  and  made  in  form  of  small  chapels  con- 
taining, as  it  were,  the  light  of  the  Gospel  and 
shedding  it  abroad  throughout  the  world.  In  the 
center,  at  the  crossing  of  the  nave  and  the  tran- 
sept, hangs  the  large  chandelier,  formed  like  a city 
wall  with  twelve  gates;  at  each  gate  a light  shines, 
in  the  center  are  three  crowns  of  glory,  each  re- 
splendent with  color,  and  the  whole  forms  a beau- 
tiful symbol  of  the  New  Jerusalem. 

Why  should  not  our  churches,  even  to  the  lights 
therein,  be  sermons  proclaiming  in  their  way  the 
great  Gospel  truths  of  God,  life  and  eternity?  So 
they  may  be  if  we  plan  them  as  the  house  of  God, 
and  not  merely  as  a place  where  a preacher  and 
choir  with  soloists  may  shine. 

VENTILATION 

The  matter  of  ventilation  should  not  be  passed 
by  without  mention.  It  is,  however,  generally 
overlooked  by  building  committees  and  some- 
times, apparently,  also  by  the  architect. 

In  churches  where  the  Sunday  school  and  young 
people’s  meetings  are  conducted  immediately  be- 
fore or  after  the  morning  service  in  the  audi- 
torium of  the  church,  it  is  necessary  to  hang  the 


windows  on  weights  so  that  they  may  all  be  easily 
opened  from  above  and  below,  and  the  foul  air 
after  one  service  may  thus  be  quickly  exchanged 
for  fresh  air  for  the  one  immediately  following. 
It  may,  however,  be  necessary  to  call  the  janitor's 
attention  to  the  difference  between  foul  and  fresh 
air  as  far  as  its  effects  on  mental  activity,  health 
and  heating  are  concerned. 

But  under  any  or  all  circumstances  it  is  well  to 
provide  for  an  abundance  of  fresh  air,  to  keep  the 
mind  active  and  conditions  conducive  to  physical 
as  well  as  spiritual  well-being. 

HEATING 

Heating  a church  properly  is  an  important 
matter.  A pastor  may  labor  with  all  the  energy 
he  can  possibly  muster,  yet,  if  the  church  is  too 
cold  for  comfort,  or  safety  at  least,  the  people 
will  be  reluctant  to  come  to  church.  If  they  do 
come,  they  will  have  difficulty  in  giving  close  at- 
tention to  what  he  says.  On  the  contrary  they 
may  be  thinking  hard  on  the  problem  of  heating 
the  church  or  of  securing  the  right  kind  of  janitor. 
This  thinking  should  be  done  rather  when  the 
church  is  planned,  for  very  often  the  root  of  the 
trouble  is  there. 

With  a basement  under  the  church  and  a fur- 
nace there,  the  floor  of  the  auditorium  will  gener- 
ally be  comfortably  warm,  and  this  is  the  key  to 
a comfortable  church,  when  weather  is  cold.  This 
is  also  an  argument  of  great  weight  when  the 
question  is:  “Basement,  or  no  basement?” 

Where  there  is  no  basement,  a stove  on  the 
main  floor  will  be  the  only  solution — unless  a hole 
be  dug  under  the  church  and  a furnace  placed 
there.  When  hard  coal  is  used  in  such  stove,  the 
fire  should,  in  cold  weather,  be  started  at  least 
twelve  hours  before  the  church  is  to  be  used. 

PLACING  THE  CHIMNEY 

With  the  stove  the  problem  of  placing  the  chim- 
ney comes  to  the  fore.  In  very  many  of  our  stove- 
heated  churches  the  chimney  is  placed  in  such  a 
way  as  to  be  an  eyesore  and  a source  of  annoy- 
ance in  other  ways.  The  chimney  should  never  be 
placed  over  the  altar  or  chancel  arch.  It  is  an 
unsightly  thing  in  such  a conspicuous  place,  with 
the  smoke  condensing  into  a black  liquid,  running 
down  from  Hue  and  pipes.  T he  chimney  should 
be  somewhat  near  the  stove;  then  these  drippings 
will  be  avoided  and  the  long,  ugly  pipes  will  not 
disfigure  the  front  part  of  the  church. 

Local  conditions  will  be  a large  factor  in  the 
matter  of  heating,  and  the  question  will  have  to 
be  left  for  solution  with  each  individual  congrega- 
tion. But  the  matter  should  be  thoroughly  con- 
sidered beforehand  as  an  important  problem. 


21 


NOTES  ON  DESIGNS 


DESIGN  A 

This  illustrates  a chapel  without  basement,  heated  by  stoves,  and 
constructed  in  the  plainest  and  simplest  manner,  the  structural  framing 
of  the  roof  being  exposed — as  may  be  seen  in  illustration  of  transverse 
section — and  stained.  The  sacristy,  which  here  is  placed  on  north  side  of 
chancel,  may,  of  course,  be  placed  on  south  side,  where  location  or  other 
circumstances  make  it  desirable. 

The  seating  capacity  of  this  chapel  is  100. 

It  will  cost  from  $1,000  to  $1,300  to  build  this  chapel,  the  difference 
depending  on  location. 


23 


J 


21 


25 


DESIGN  B 


This  shows  a mission  chapel  with  Sunday  school  room.  It  may,  like 
design  A,  be  without  basement,  or  it  may  be  built  with  a basement  con- 
taining heating  plant  and  Sunday  school  and  semi-social  rooms.  Room 
over  Sunday  school  may  be  used  by  the  choir.  The  Sunday  school  room 
may  be  used  also  as  part  of  auditorium,  and  the  chapel  will  then  have 
150  seats.  The  construction  here  is  similar  to  that  used  in  design  A, 
which  see. 

Cost,  without  basement,  $1,800  to  $2,000;  with  basement,  $2,000  to 
$2,500. 

To  a congregation  in  the  mission  field  we  would  recommend  to  con- 
sider carefully  whether  this  chapel  might  not  be  just  about  what  there 
would  be  needed  as  a house  of  worship.  Adding  the  seats  over  the  Sun- 
day school  room,  there  will  be  ample  room  even  for  a large  mission  con- 
gregation. If  later  the  congregation  feels  able  to  add  a tower,  this  may 
be  built  on  where  the  entrance  is  now. 


x^ti 1 


i - f=i 


S«le  of  feet 


flAWftooR/PUtf  ~ 


28 


-\ 


© 


{)A.SE MEAT  PLAN- 


L 


29 


DESIGN  C 


This  building  is  designed  for  a congregation  of  200,  including  a choir 
of  50.  As  the  plans  show,  it  follows  the  type  of  plan  and  design  which 
seems  best  adapted  to  the  Lutheran  service  and  ritual,  namely  the  long 
nave  with  the  chancel  at  one  end  and  the  choir  in  a gallery  at  the  other, 
and  a tower  over  the  main  entrance.  A side  entrance  leads  both  to  the 
basement  and  the  front  vestibule.  There  is  an  exit  beside  the  chancel 
which  also  leads  to  the  basement.  The  interior  has  plastered  walls  and 
ceiling;  the  gallery  provides  for  a choir  and  organ.  The  basement  con- 
tains Sunday  school  room,  kitchen,  heating  plant,  toilets,  etc.  The  exterior 
is  shown  with  a stucco  finish,  but  siding  or  shingles  could  be  used.  If  built 
without  basement,  gallery  or  front  exit  the  cost  would  be  from  $3,500  to 
$4,500;  as  shown  the  cost  will  be  from  $5,000  to  $6,000,  depending  on 
materials  and  finish. 


marcl  rtlohn*  Arclit 


31 


r Ain  fLOOa 


(C 


32 


DESIGN  D 


Here  we  present  a design  for  a church  in  brick  or  stone,  on  the  long 
nave  plan,  and  with  a seating  capacity  of  300.  The  massive  tower  and 
the  simplicity  throughout  in  the  design  are  notable  features  of  this  church. 
The  upper  part  of  nave  walls  and  the  main  roof  are  supported  on  col- 
umns, and  side  aisles  have  lower  roofs.  In  general,  it  may  be  said  of  this 
design  that  it  shows  a house  of  worship,  nothing  else.  One  accustomed 
to  worship  here  will  never  forget  the  inspiration  this  sanctuary  was  to  him. 

The  basement  contains  Sunday  school  rooms,  semi-social  rooms,  heat- 
ing plant,  kitchen,  etc. 

This  church  would  cost  from  $10,000.00  to  $15,000.00,  depending 
on  materials,  location,  etc. 


■pAJtnrciT- 


35 


DESIGN  E 


This  illustration  represents  two  lot  plans,  showing  church,  Sunday 
school  and  parsonage  on: 

(1)  A lot  100  feet  by  250  feet,  and 

(2)  A lot  200  by  250  feet. 

“A”  represents  the  church, 

“B”  the  Sunday  school  and  semi-social  building, 

“C”  the  parsonage,  and 

“D”  cloisters  connecting  the  buildings. 

This  illustration  is  intended  to  show  how  ground  for  church  property 
in  the  city  may  be  utilized  most  advantageously — when  ample  ground  is 
available.  In  most  cases  a congregation  will  have  to  be  content  with 
much  less.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind,  however,  that  a $25,000  or 
$35,000  church  needs  ample  open  space  around  it  to  show  up  properly. 
Th  ere  is  little  satisfaction  in  erecting  it  on  a small  city  lot. 


37 


DESIGN  I* 


“This  design  is,  as  a whole,  worked  out  in  ideas  represented  in  the 
‘Stavekirke’,  in  general  grouping  as  well  as  in  construction  and  ornamen- 
tal details. 

“The  side  aisles  with  round  arched  window  openings  under  a low, 
sloping  roof  represent  the  porches,  or  ‘svalegange’,  previously  mentioned. 

“The  nave  has  the  shape  of  a cross,  over  the  center  of  which,  in  the 
intersection  between  the  main  roofs,  a small  steeple,  or  ‘takrytter’,  ter- 
minates the  building. 

“Besides  the  light  received  through  the  windows  of  the  lower  walls 
running  around  the  whole  structure,  the  south,  the  north  and  the  west 
gables  of  the  nave  give  space  for  larger  windows,  which  will  give  suffi- 
cient light  for  a modern  church. 

“Freestanding  heavy  wooden  columns  carry  the  upper,  or  triforium, 
walls  and  also  trusses  for  the  open  timbered  roof.  These  columns  are 
connected  by  ornamental  wooden  arches  and  cross-bands,  so  decorative 
and  typical  of  the  ‘stavekirke’. 

“The  plan  will  show  the  general  arrangement  of  nave,  chancel,  Sun- 
day school  department,  and  other  subordinate  rooms. 

“Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  of  this  church  (design  I),  will  seat 
420  persons,  figuring  a space  of  2 feet  8 inches  by  1 foot,  6 inches  to  each, 
as  explained  above. 

“Cost.  It  will  be  understood,  that  from  lack  of  experience  in  erec- 
tion of  buildings  of  this  kind  in  America,  and  also  from  not  having 
complete  working  drawings  prepared  to  figure  from,  it  is  more  or  less 
uncertain  to  figure  the  cost  of  this  church.  When  $27,400.00  is  given 
as  approximate  cost  it  has  to  be  taken  at  its  face  value.  It  means  $65.25 
per  seat,  which  is  a very  high  unit  price. 

“The  prices  given  for  this  and  other  designs,  designs  I-XII,  are  for 
Chicago  and  vicinity.  Lots  are  not  included.  It  is  understood  in  giving 
these  prices,  that  the  designs  are  to  be  followed  as  shown  in  all  details 
of  construction  and  ornaments,  first  class  materials  to  be  used  throughout, 
and  workmanship  to  be  the  very  best. 

“A  variation  of  up  to  5 per  cent  of  prices  quoted  should  be  allowed 
according  to  locality  of  erection  and  changes  in  construction — for  instance: 
using  ceiling  roofs  instead  of  the  open  timbered  roofs  as  shown.” 

To  this  description  we  may  add,  that  this  would  certainly  make  a 
church  of  a most  interesting  architecture  for  one  of  our  strong  country 
congregations.  It  would  be  most  inviting  to  the  worshipper,  and  many  an 
automobile  would  be  run  far  out  of  its  direct  course,  that  the  occupants 
might  see  it  and  perhaps  even  take  part  in  the  services  in  this  magnificent 
specimen  of  the  Churcb  of  our  Forefathers. 

If  the  small  steeple  could  be  moved  to  the  west  end,  over  the  entrance, 
and  provided  with  a belfry,  it  would  be  better  adapted  to  requirements 
among  us  and  yet,  perhaps,  retain  its  distinctive  ‘stavekirke’  features.  Such 
modification  of  the  plan,  we  understand,  is  feasible.  It  would  seem  proper 
that  some  effort  should  be  made  to  adapt  and  preserve  this  ‘stavekirke’ 
type  of  church  among  us.  It  would  certainly  be  a distinctively  Norse  type. 

*Note:  The  description  here  given  in  quotation  marks  of  designs  I — XII  are  by  the  designer 
Torgeir  Alvsaker,  architect. 


39 


10 


:oo^*  T3Y^  • 


41 


DESIGN  II 


“This  shows  a small  church,  or  chapel,  without  a regular  tower,  but 
with  a steeple  over  the  main  roof,  where  a small  church  bell  can  be  placed 
if  wanted.  The  main  walls  of  nave  and  chancel  are  built  in  brick,  with 
sparing  use  of  cut  stone  trimmings.  The  subordinate  rooms,  as  entrance 
hall,  choir  and  organ  room,  sacristy  and  stair  halls  are  constructed  in 
wooden  frame  work,  with  cement  stucco-covering  of  the  outside  walls. 
The  character  of  the  church  is  Gothic,  with  motives  from  the  Norwegian 
‘stavekirke’  in  detailing  of  all  wooden  members  for  the  frame-constructed 
parts  of  the  building  and  in  detailing  of  the  wooden  trusses  of  roof  over 
the  nave.  Choir  and  organ  room  is  placed  at  east  end  of  building  with 
openings  out  to  chancel  and  auditorium. 

“The  stairs  are  built  in  and  well  protected,  especially  those  that  lead 
to  the  basement.  In  most  churches  these  stairs  are  laid  outside  the  walls, 
forming  an  open,  unprotected  well  (area).  Besides  a stairway  from  the 
rear  of  the  church,  leading  to  the  heating  plant  and  kitchen,  there  is  a 
direct  stairway  with  entrance  to  Sunday  school  room  in  basement. 

“Sunday  school  department  is  shown  as  one  large  room,  but  it  can 
easily  be  divided  into  two  or  three  rooms  by  accordeon  doors  or  light 
walls. 

“Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  250  persons. 

“Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $13,200.00  or  $52.80  per 

seat. 

“What  we  said  about  design  I may  be  added  here  also,  and  applies 
to  design  III  as  well.  In  design  II  it  would  be  better  to  let  the  stairs  to 
pulpit  lead  directly  from  sacristy,  thus  making  chancel  opening  through 
chancel  arch  more  free  and  wider. 

“Note  that  material  used  in  designs  II  and  III  for  outside  walls  will 
make  maintenance  cost  slight.” 


A.  A.  RITCHER 
HEADING,  PA. 


'T-ALVSAKER 

"ARCHITECr- 


45 


DESIGN  III 

“The  church  shown  here  is  designed  as  a wooden  frame  structure 
over  a concrete  basement,  with  cement  stucco-covering  of  outside  walls. 
Basement  walls  over  grade  are  proposed  covered  with  siding.  The  chancel 
walls  are  in  this  design  extended  upwards  over  the  roof  of  the  nave,  form- 
ing the  main  tower  of  the  church.  This  is  a feature  found  in  some  of  the 
old  Norwegian  churches.  Besides  being  of  good  effect,  it  also  means  a 
saving  in  cost,  as  compared  to  the  usual  tower  at  west  front  of  church. 
The  main  tower  is  connected  with  a small  octagonal  tower  for  a winding 
stairway  leading  to  belfry.  The  character  of  this  church  suggests  the 
‘stavekirke’  in  detailing  of  tower  entrance,  roof  trusses  and  choir  arch. 
There  is  no  special  room  reserved  for  choir  and  organ.  A small  organ 
can  be  placed  as  shown  in  corner  of  nave  opposite  the  pulpit.  Stair  halls 
and  stairs  to  basement  are  designed  similar  to  those  for  church  No.  II — 
built-in,  so  as  to  be  properly  protected.  Sunday  school  department  and 
other  subordinate  rooms  are  located  in  basement. 

“Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  244  persons. 

“Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $11,700.00,  or  $47.95  per 
seat.” 


ALVSAKER. 

^Architect- 


47 


Scale 


DESIGN  IV 


“This  illustrates  a small  country  church  of  the  conventional  type  with 
a square  tower,  centrally  located  at  west  front.  The  circular  arched  open- 
ings suggest  the  Romanesque  style.  The  church,  which  is  without  base- 
ment, is  designed  as  a wooden  frame  structure  over  foundation  walls  of 
concrete  or  field  stones.  The  perspective  shows  the  outside  walls  covered 
with  clapboards,  or  siding.  Though  there  is  no  room  reserved  for  choir 
or  organ,  an  organ  will  find  place  in  corner  of  nave  opposite  the  pulpit. 
A stove  is  shown  at  side  wall  of  nave  for  heating. 

“Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  152  persons. 

“Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $4,500.00  or  $29.60  per 
seat.” 

Here  is  a church  that  will  meet  the  requirements  of  most  of  our 
smaller  country  congregations.  It  is  simple  in  construction,  and  if  the 
plastered  ceiling  (shown  by  dotted  line)  is  substituted  for  the  open  tim- 
bered roof  the  cost  can  be  reduced  considerably.  Of  course,  the  inside 
lofty  appearance  would  lose  by  such  a substitution,  but 

If  a basement  is  desired — and,  as  before  stated,  this  is  quite  indis- 
pensable— it  can  very  easily  be  added  at  small  cost.  But  let  us  repeat  that 
entrance  to  it  must  be  provided  inside,  so  that  no  snow  or  rain  gets  a 
chance  to  blow  into  the  stairway. 

The  steps  leading  up  to  the  pulpit  may  also  be  arranged  so  as  to  lead 
directly  from  sacristy  (See  design  No.  V).  This  would  give  a better  view 
of  the  altar  from  vicinity  of  stove,  and  it  would  leave  a wider  chancel 
opening,  which  is  here  desirable. 

Note  the  location  of  the  chimney  and  of  stove  near  it.  Thus  the 
nuisance  of  a long,  dripping,  dangerous  and  unsightly  stove  pipe  is  avoid- 
ed. If  a basement  with  furnace  is  added,  the  chimney  should  be  placed 
differently,  but  not  directly  over  top  of  chancel  arch — as  one  may  often 
see — but  to  one  side  of  same. 

Note  the  inexpensive  hood  over  main  entrance,  also  small  window 
lights — much  to  be  preferred  over  the  large  ones,  both  on  account  of  their 
churchliness  in  appearance  and  for  practical  reasons. 

Note  also  the  beautiful  altar  rising  into  a magnificent  altar  piece, 
with  art  glass  windows  with  figures  or  emblems  appearing  over  and  as 
a part  of  it.  This  makes  a sanctuary  indeed. 

Note,  further,  the  pulpit,  how  it  corresponds  beautifully  in  design  to 
altar.  The  pedestal  on  which  it  rests  might,  perhaps,  be  a trifle  lower. 

Note,  finally,  the  church  surroundings,  with  trimmed  trees,  here  and 
in  designs  No.  V and  VI.  What  a difference  they  make  in  appearance 
and  attractiveness  of  church,  as  compared  to  the  bleak,  uncared-for  sur- 
roundings of  many  of  our  country  churches. 


-T-  Alvsaker 

-ARCHITECT- 


1 m 


51 


!:  I 

I 

J® 


53 


DESIGN  V 


“This  design  shows  a small  Gothic  church  with  an  open  timbered 
roof  construction  and  with  a square  tower  placed  at  one  corner  of  the  west 
front  and  connected  with  an  entrance  hall  to  auditorium.  This  building, 
which  is  designed  as  a wooden  structure,  is  shown  to  have  outside  walls 
covered  with  cement  stucco  down  to  top  of  basement  walls.  The  upper 
fields  of  all  gables  are  designed  as  half  timber  construction,  with  wooden 
construction  members  exposed,  with  stucco  fields  between.  Choir  and  organ 
room  is  located  at  east  end  of  church,  with  large  openings  out  to  chancel 
and  auditorium.  From  the  tower  hall,  at  auditorium  level,  leads  a stair- 
way to  Sunday  school  department  in  the  basement.  Direct  access  from  the 
outside  to  basement  is  through  an  inclosed  stairway  under  choir  and  organ 
room. 

“The  basement  is  laid  out  for  Sunday  school  rooms,  kitchen,  heating 
and  fuel  rooms,  wardrobe  and  stair  halls. 

“Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  168  persons.  Choir  and 
organ  room  will  seat  32  persons,  making  a total  of  200. 

“Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $8,100.00  or  $40.50  per 
seat.” 

We  would  add  to  this  description  by  remarking  that  the  chancel 
should  be  made  four  feet  wider  (this  narrow  chancel  was  ordered  by  con- 
gregation for  whom  the  plan  was  prepared),  also  that  the  step  shown  in 
entrance  hall  should  be  removed;  it  is  an  unexpected  step  and  may  cause 
stumbles. 


r 


57 


58 


DESIGN  VI 


“This  design  shows  a Gothic  church  with  an  open  timbered  roof 
construction  similar  to  design  No.  V.  Construction  and  architectural  treat- 
ment of  walls  are  also  similar  to  that  shown  for  design  No.  V.  I he 
tower  is  located  centrally  and  half  built  into  west  front  of  church.  Stair- 
ways to  choir  and  organ  gallery  and  to  basement  occupy  the  space  on  both 
sides  of  the  tower  under  the  main  roof.  The  outside  steps  leading  to  main 
entrance  are  protected  by  an  open  porch,  which  gives  character  to  this 
feature  of  the  front.  The  small  door  shown  in  the  perspective  at  west 
front  of  building  leads  from  grade  to  basement  stairway  landing,  and 
provides  direct  access  to  entrance  hall  as  well  as  to  basement.  Another 
direct  access  from  the  outside  to  basement  is  through  a stairway  built-in 
at  north  side  of  chancel. 

“The  basement  is  laid  out  similar  to  design  No.  V. 

“Organ  and  choir  are  located  on  gallery  at  west  end  of  nave  and 
over  entrance  halls. 

“Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  250  persons.  Gallery  will 
seat  62  persons,  making  a total  of  312. 

“Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $13,800.00,  or  $44.23  per 
seat." 

While  cement  stucco  is  now  being  extensively  used  in  place  of  siding 
as  covering  for  outside  walls,  a congregation  desiring  it  may,  of  course, 
have  plans  call  for  siding.  Cement  stucco,  however,  if  handled  properly, 
will  be  found  economical  both  as  to  initial  cost  and  maintenance,  besides 
enhancing  appearance  of  building. 

Not  only  does  the  porch  covering  the  outside  steps  “give  character 
to  this  feature  of  the  front,”  but  in  rainy -weather,  and  especially  in  winter 
weather  with  snow  and  ice,  it  is  an  important  protection  against  wet  or 
icy  steps,  so  bad  for  elderly  people. 


62 


DESIGN  VII 


“This  illustrates  a Romanesque  church  in  brick,  with  cut  stone  trim- 
mings. Outside  walls  are  shown  faced  with  rough  Held  stones,  but  can, 
if  it  is  desired,  be  laid  up  in  face  brick  with  good  effect.  I he  interior  walls 
are  to  be  plastered  in  large  unbroken  Helds,  suitable  for  painted  decora- 
tions. The  plan  is  worked  out  in  a simple,  straight-forward  way  with  one 
rectangular  formed  nave,  connected  through  a cut  stone  arch  with  the 
chancel  terminating  in  a half  round  apsis.  At  sides  of  chancel,  and  with 
direct  access  to  this,  are  sacristy  and  choir  and  organ  room  located.  I he 
tower  is  located  at  the  north  side  of  west  front  in  connection  with  an 
entrance  hall  to  nave  and  stairway  to  basement.  In  the  tower  is  a stair- 
way located  leading  to  belfry,  and  also  one  to  basement.  Besides  direct 
access  to  basement  from  street  level  at  west  front  of  building,  there  is 
another  stairway  at  east  end  of  church  leading  to  heating  plant  under 
chancel.  The  basement  is  laid  out  for  Sunday  school  department,  heating 
plant,  and  other  subordinate  rooms. 

“Seating  Capacity,  I he  nave  will  seat  312  persons;  choir  and 
organ  room  will  seat  18  persons,  making  a total  of  330. 

“Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $17,800.00,  or  $54.00  per 
seat.” 

In  place  of  the  customary  oil  painting,  note  here  a plain  cross  rising 
over  the  altar.  This  together  with  properly  designed  art  glass  windows 
in  apse,  forming  the  altar  piece,  will  furnish  a Htting  background  for  altar. 
On  transverse  section  note  the  accordeon  doors  forming  partition  in  base- 
ment. 

I his  is,  indeed,  a beautiful  design  for  a medium  sized  church,  anti 
if  furnished  with  art  glass  windows  to  match,  this  church  will  in  its  sim- 
plicity and  sincerity  delight  the  regular  worshipper  and  be  an  invitation 
to  the  casual  visitor  to  come  again. 


-T-  Alvsaker 

Architect 


z 

0 

1 

to 


va 

s 

cO 


fit 


G5 


• Side,  • Elevation  • 


DESIGN  VIII 


“Here  is  illustrated  a church  in  modernized  Romanesque  style,  con- 
structed in  hrick  with  sparing  use  of  cut  stone  trimmings.  Access  to  the 
nave  is  through  two  entrances  at  west  front,  one  through  the  tower  en- 
trance hall  and  the  other  from  street  level;  the  latter  is  also  connected 
with  a stairway  to  basement. 

“The  side  aisles  are  placed  outside  of  the  nave  in  low  structures  run- 
ning alongside  the  walls  of  the  nave.  Arched  openings  in  these  walls 
give  access  from  the  pews  to  the  side  aisles.  This  is  an  arrangement  used 
in  modern  Norwegian  churches,  and  gives  a very  good  architectural  ef- 
fect, both  of  interior  and  exterior,  besides  being  economical,  as  it  cuts 
down  the  cubic  of  the  building  in  proportion  to  floor  space.  The  chancel 
is  terminated  as  an  octagon.  Sacristy  and  waiting  room  are  placed  beside 
chancel  with  direct  access  to  the  nave. 

“The  basement  is  designed  with  rooms  for  Sunday  school  and  semi- 
social functions,  besides  having  rooms  for  heating  plant.  A stairway 
from  the  rear  of  sanctuary  leads  from  the  outside  to  heating  plant. 

“Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  564  persons.  Choir  and 
organ  gallery  will  seat  26  persons  making  a total  of  590  persons. 

“Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $34,200.00,  or  $58.00  per 
seat.” 

Note  the  magnificent  chancel  arch,  and  the  altar  piece  as  it  harmoni- 
ously blends  with  the  surroundings.  This  is  a church  one  will  like  better 
the  longer  he  sees  it  and  worships  in  it.  Permanency  and  solid  grandeur 
are  outstanding  features  of  it.  Note  the  magnificent  front  window.  Let 
some  of  our  substantial  country  congregations  replace  their  temporary 
frame  buildings  with  this  permanent  church,  and  they  will  feel  that  at 
last  they  are  fittingly  housed.  If  it  is  built  in  a city,  no  one  would  be  in 
doubt  as  to  what  sort  of  structure  it  might  he.  Study  its  features  and  you 
will  agree  with  us,  and  the  more  you  study  it  the  better  you  will  like  it. 


~T^Alvsake;r_ 

''Architect- 


69 


r 


Transverse -Section  • 


HI 


70 


Scale 


72 


J 


1] 


73 


Ba^hment-  Ran 


A.  A.  RITCHER 

READING,  i*A« 


DESIGN  IX 

“This  design  shows  a church  in  Gothic  style  in  brick  with  cut  stone 
trimmings. 

“The  main  entrance  to  auditorium  is  through  tower  entrance  hall. 
A side  entrance  at  right  side  of  west  front  leads  to  auditorium  and  base- 
ment. From  the  main  entrance  hall  in  tower  there  are  two  stairways  lead- 
ing direct  to  Sunday  school  department  in  basement.  Two  stairways  from 
the  west  end  of  nave  lead  to  choir  and  organ  gallery  above. 

“The  basement  is  designed  with  rooms  for  Sunday  school  depart- 
ment, semi-social  functions,  and  heating  plant,  with  auxiliary  rooms. 

“Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  416  persons.  Gallery  will 
seat  70  persons,  making  a total  of  486. 

“Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $26,500.00,  or  $54.53  per 
seat.” 

Of  the  various  designs  in  this  collection  we  would  point  this  one  out 
as  the  one  coming  nearest  our  ideal  of  what  a Lutheran  church  should 
look  like,  both  as  to  exterior  and  interior.  It  seems  to  combine  most  ex- 
cellently churchliness  with  practical  utility. 

Note  the  cruci-form  plan,  with  transepts  extending  but  little  beyond 
the  general  width  of  the  church,  thus  making  it  possible  to  erect  it  on  a 
narrow  city  lot,  and  at  the  same  time  permitting  the  altar  to  be  seen  from 
every  seat  in  transept.  The  organ  and  choir  are  placed  where  they  should 
be,  in  the  gallery. 

Note  the  quiet  beauty  of  the  pointed  arch  opening  into  a spacious 
chancel,  extending  on  either  side  of  sanctuary  to  the  apse.  Note  also  fine 
vaulting  over  apse. 

The  stately  beauty,  quiet  grandeur,  lightness  and  yet  strength  of  con- 
struction, and  the  idea  of  growth  and  height  embodied  in  the  structure 
as  a whole  are  characteristics  of  the  Gothic  style,  consistently  and  success- 
fully carried  out  in  every  detail  of  this  church. 

About  half  of  the  basement  wall  is  above  the  ground,  and  high  base- 
ment windows  admit  an  abundance  of  light  and  pure  air  into  Sunday  school 
rooms.  This  is  a most  important  feature.  In  the  planning  of  many 
churches  one  may  on  this  point  see  a serious  mistake  made,  the  basement 
being  a dark  and  dingy  place,  altogether  out  of  keeping  with  the  bright, 
cheerful  Gospel  to  be  taught  the  children  in  the  Sunday  school.  Really, 
it  may  he  doubted  whether  a Sunday  school  can  be  successfully  carried  on 
in  a dark,  damp,  cheerless,  cellar-like  place,  called  a church  basement 
though  it  be.  While  for  several  weighty  reasons  the  Sunday  school  should 
not,  ordinarily,  be  conducted  in  the  church  auditorium,  this  arrangement 
would  be  far  less  objectionable  than  relegating  it  to  such  unsuitable  quar- 
ters. But  why  not  build  the  basement  well  above  ground  and  provide 
plenty  of  light  and  air  and  as  much  sunshine  as  possible  in  our  church 
basements?  Why  not  try  to  keep  above  the  sod  as  long  as  possible? 
These  things  we  should  bear  in  mind  when  we  build  our  church  basement. 


75 


76 


DESIGNS  X,  XI,  XII 


“These  plates  illustrate  churches  in  brick  and  cut  stone  trimmings. 
Plans  and  sections  for  these  churches  are  designed  by  me*  over  perspec- 
tives of  churches  built  by  architects  Alban  & Fisher,  St.  Paul,  Minn.  T his 
was  done  at  the  request  of  Pastor  Oluf  Glas0e  for  the  purpose  of  showing 
our  ideas  of  suitable  plans  for  Lutheran  congregations  in  connection  with 
the  exteriors  of  known  churches. 

“Of  course,  their  perspectives  give  only  an  approximate  representa- 
tion of  churches  built  according  to  these  plans,  as  they  show  many  changes 
in  arrangement  of  entrance  halls  and  stairways  from  original  plans  of  the 
churches  illustrated. 

“All  stairways  to  basement  are  built  into  the  structure,  avoiding  all 
open  and  unprotected  outside  wells  otherwise  required  for  these  stairs. 

“Basements  are  designed  with  rooms  for  Sunday  school  department, 
semi-social  functions  and  heating  plant  with  auxiliary  rooms.” 


T.  Alvsaker  (note  by  Author). 


DESIGN  X 

Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  475  persons,  choir  and  or- 
gan gallery  will  seat  127  persons,  making  a total  of  602  seats. 

Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $32,500.00  or  $54.00  per 

seat. 


so 


X 


SI 


82 


S3 


M 


DESIGN  XI 

Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  464  persons,  choir  and  or- 
gan gallery  will  seat  26  persons,  making  a total  of  490  seats. 

Cost.  T his  church  can  be  erected  for  $30,000.00  or  $61.20  per 

seat. 


S5 


v IP 

m 

RLSP] 

P fP'TF'T] 

Lad  ^=5^  JL  J- 

rvj 

E V 

XI 


DESIGN  XII 


“Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  489  persons.  Choir  and 
organ  gallery  will  seat  26  persons,  making  a total  of  515  seats. 

“Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $31,300.00,  or  $60.75  per 

seat. 

“It  should  be  remembered  that  all  special  arrangements  that  the  con- 
gregations may  wish  or  local  conditions  demand,  cannot  be  treated  in  de- 
sign as  shown  here,  where  only  general  conditions  can  be  considered.  All 
such  special  arrangements  have  to  he  worked  out  directly  between  congre- 
gations and  their  architect.” 

In  this  connection  read  pages  102-103. 


91 


1 1 1 


04 


ME 


DESIGN  XIII 


This  shows  a small  Gothic  church  with  tower  centrally  located  at 
west  front.  This  church  is  designed  especially  to  meet  the  needs  of  mis- 
sion congregations.  It  is  a well  proportioned,  roomy  church,  which  may 
be  built  at  a comparatively  small  cost. 

In  order  to  keep  the  cost  as  low  as  possible,  this  church  is  designed 
with  a horizontal,  plastered  ceiling  and  without  basement.  The  chancel 
could  be  improved  upon  by  being  made  two  feet  w7ider,  without  greatly 
increasing  cost. 

There  is  no  room  reserved  for  choir  or  organ;  but  an  organ  can  be 
placed,  as  shown  on  floor  plan,  at  front  of  the  nave. 

The  church  is  to  be  heated  by  a stove  placed  by  the  north  wall  of 
nave.  The  chimney  might  also  be  placed  at  corner  formed  by  nave  anti 
chancel,  thus  bringing  it  nearer  ridge  of  roof. 

Seating  Capacity.  The  nave  will  seat  136  persons. 

Cost.  This  church  can  be  erected  for  $2,650.00,  or  $19.40  per  seat. 


97 


!»S 


CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 


INSTALLING  appropriate  furniture  in  a 
church  is  a matter  requiring  care  and  good 
taste  just  as  much  as  designing  the  church.  In 
general,  the  furniture  of  a church,  even  to  the 
hymn  board,  light  fixtures  and  hardware  should 
correspond  to  the  church  building;  that  is,  be  de- 
signed in  the  same  style.  It  must  also  in  color  and 
grade  be  in  keeping  with  the  interior  color  scheme 
of  the  church,  and  not  more  elaborately  ornate 
or  severe  than  the  building  itself.  It  goes  without 
saying  that  there  must  be  no  pretense  or  sham  in 
the  furniture.  If  it  is  made  of  plain  pine,  do  not 
grain  it  in  imitation  of  oak  or  paint  it  to  look  like 
black  walnut.  If  soft  wood  with  fine  natural  grain 
is  used,  stain  and  varnish  it  to  match  the  wood- 
work of  the  church. 

ALTAR 

The  first  piece  of  furniture  needed  is  an  altar. 
In  chapels  and  small  churches  a temporary  altar 
may  be  made  by  anyone  having  a square,  a saw, 
a hammer  and  a few  nails.  It  may  be  made  of 
common  lumber  and  covered  with  cloth  of  appro- 
priate color.  There  should  be  a white,  clean  cloth 
over  the  altar  table.  Such  improvised  altar  will 
serve  until  the  congregation  or  some  individual 
can  provide  something  better. 

“While  the  altar  is  the  chief  piece  of  furniture 
in  a Lutheran  church  and  hence  subject  to  greater 
effort  at  ornamentation  than  anything  else,  it  must 
not,  in  an  otherwise  plain  church,  be  overloaded 
with  ornaments.  Balance  and  proportion  must 
never  be  lost  sight  of.” 

Quite  generally  our  people  like  to  have  an  oil 
painting  in  the  central  niche  of  the  altar.  In  most 
cases  such  painting  represents  an  event  in  the  life 
of  Christ.  I his  way  of  beautifying  the  altar  and 
sanctuary  is  commendable.  But  such  painting 
must  be  a work  of  art,  otherwise  it  will  do  more 
harm  than  good.  Frequently  one  may  see  terrible 
travesties  on  art  set  up  in  this  most  holy  place, 
causing  pain  and  distraction  even  in  the  most  de- 
vout of  worshippers.  It  would  be  far  better  to 
place  a plain  cross  (this  may  be  cut  out  of  gilt 
paper)  where  the  painting  should  be,  until  such 
time  when  someone  in  the  congregation  will  do- 
nate a real  work  of  art  to  adorn  the  altar  of  the 
Lord. 

In  some  of  our  churches  one  may  see  in  place 


of  the  usual  oil  painting  a statue  set  up  in  the 
central  niche  of  the  altar.  When  these  statues 
represent  Christ,  as  for  instance  Thorvaldsen's 
“Come  Unto  Me!”  they  are  quite  appropriate 
and  edifying.  But  from  what  one  may  see  in  some 
of  our  churches  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  suggest 
that  great  care  be  taken  to  have  the  statue  fit  well 
into  the  niche. 

ALTAR  RAIL 

The  altar  rail  is  as  essential  as  the  altar.  It 
protects  the  sanctuary  proper  against  thoughtless 
trespassers.  In  our  Mother  Church  of  Norway 
none  but  those  who  were  consecrated  to  the  holy 
office  of  the  ministry  were  allowed  to  officiate 
inside  the  altar  rail.  With  the  upholstered  kneeler 
as  part  of,  it  is  also  quite  necessary  during  com- 
munion service  and  other  services.  In  design  it 
must  correspond  to  altar  and  pulpit,  and  to  style 
of  church  generally. 

PULPIT 

In  many  of  our  churches  the  pulpit  is  an  ill 
fitting  piece  of  furniture.  In  trying  to  remedy  this 
matter  some  have  done  away  with  it  altogether 
and  substituted  for  it  a common  desk,  or  speak- 
er’s stand,  and  this  again,  naturally,  has  worked 
its  way  to  the  center  of  the  chancel,  under  the 
chancel  arch,  thus  breaking  up  the  symbolic  ar- 
rangement with  reference  to  one  another  of  the 
Means  of  Grace  in  the  chancel.  Instead  of  dis- 
carding the  pulpit  just  because  it  had  not  been 
made  and  placed  right,  let  us  rather  design  it 
properly  and  place  it  where  it  belongs  and  it  will 
be  found  to  be  a most  appropriate  and  significant 
piece  of  furniture.  Like  the  gown  of  the  pastor 
and  the  choir  members,  the  pulpit  conceals  the 
man,  while  the  “ambassador  of  Christ”  proclaims 
the  word  from  God.  A mistake  frequently  made 
is  building  the  pulpit  too  high.  It  is  bad  for 
speaker  and  nearest  hearers  alike,  and  it  also  is 
unsightly. 

Provided  the  architect  designing  the  church 
knows  and  is  in  sympathy  with  Lutheran  church 
custom  and  architecture,  it  should  be  left  to  him 
also  to  design  altar,  altar  rail  and  pulpit,  and,  we 
might  add,  pew  ends,  hymn  board  and  even  light- 
ing fixtures  and  hardware.  In  this  way  alone  can 


99 


perfect  harmony  throughout  in  the  design  of  these 
things  be  secured.  ' 

BAPTISMAL  FONT 

While  it  is  deplorably  common  in  the  city  that 
parents,  instead  of  bringing  their  children  to 
church  for  baptism,  ask  the  pastor  to  come  to 
their  home  to  administer  the  Sacrament,  it  is  yet 
the  rule  in  the  country  that  the  children  of  the 
congregation  are  baptized  in  the  church.  Hence 
we  here  find  the  baptismal  font  occupying  the 
proper  place  in  the  church  as  well  as  in  the  faith 
and  practice  of  the  congregation.  Quite  generally, 
also,  an  individual  member  will  desire  to  present 
to  the  church  a baptismal  font  as  a gift. 

“To  meet  such  needs  and  pious  promptings,  art- 
ists and  manufacturers  of  church  furniture  have 
provided  beautiful  fonts  to  suit  every  taste  and 
purse.  But  here  also,  the  requirements  of  har- 
mony must  be  met.  Simple  wood  fonts  with  a 
silver  baptismal  bowl,  in  plain  design,  will  be 
suitable  for  some  churches,  while  splendidly  hand- 
carved  pieces  of  art  and  fonts  in  marble  may 
properly  belong  in  others.”  Scripture  passages, 
such  as:  “Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto 
Me !”  are  sometimes  placed  on  the  font.  In  mar- 
ble, the  image  of  a lamb  is  often  chiseled  on  the 
cover,  reminding  one  of  the  admonition:  “Feed 
My  lambs!”  The  cover  of  a baptismal  font 
should  correspond  to  the  base. 

PEW 

One  of  the  important  matters  to  be  settled  in 
connection  with  the  furnishing  of  the  church  is 
the  installation  of  proper  seats.  There  is  consid- 
erable range  between  the  empty  nail  kegs  with 
boards  across  and  the  fine  quarter-sawed  oak 
pews.  1 he  little  mission  church  in  the  country 
usually  starts  with  the  nail  kegs.  Or  some  local 
carpenter  will  utilize  board  remnants  to  make 
benches,  generally  without  rests  for  back.  Or  a 
limited  number  of  common  chairs  will  he  pro- 
vided, with  the  aforementioned  benches  to  make 
up  the  deficiency.  Cheap  and  fairly  serviceable 
home-made  seats  with  rests  for  back  may  some- 
times be  seen,  too.  But  the  hope  and  endeavor 
of  every  congregation  is  to  have  proper  seats  in 
the  church. 

Wh  en  the  question  finally  arises,  quite  generally 
the  opinions  differ  as  to  what  kind  of  seats.  Often 
someone  will  advocate  opera  chairs,  or  “audi- 
torium chairs.”  I hese  chairs  have  many  features 
to  commend  them.  But  they  remind  too  forcibly 
of  the  “dress  circle”  and  “parquet”  to  be  ad- 
mitted into  the  house  of  God.  Besides  they  may 
be  noisy  when  raised  or  lowered,  and  no  more 
comfortable  than  well-made  pews.  In  churches, 


however,  where  the  church  features  have  been 
done  away  with;  where  there  is  no  sanctuary  and 
no  Sacraments;  where  the  “preacher”  and  the 
soloists  are  the  performers;  where  the  idea  of  en- 
tertainment is  crowding  out  the  worship  of  God; 
where  even  the  architecture  of  the  building  has 
everything  arranged  in  a circle  around  the 
speaker,  and  God  and  His  Means  of  Grace  are 
crowded  into  a niche  or  corner,  if  not  crowded 
out  altogether — in  isuch  “churches”  auditorium 
chairs  may  be  quite  appropriate. 

But,  fortunately,  our  people  like  to  see  a sharp 
distinction  made,  even  to  the  seats,  between  a 
house  of  public  worship  and  a house  of  public 
entertainment,  between  a house  where  God  and 
His  Means  of  Grace  are  the  center  of  attraction 
and  a house  where  everything  is  focussed  on  a 
popular  speaker.  For  this  reason  our  congrega- 
tions, where  individual  notions  are  not  dominant, 
want  pews,  well  made  pews,  as  soon  as  they  can 
afford  them  and  the  church  requires  fixed  seats. 

In  churches  built  on  the  long  nave  plan,  the 
question  of  circular  pews  will  not  come  up.  In 
price  these  pews  run  30%  higher  than  straight 
pews,  and  thus  a large  extra  expense  is  eliminated. 

In  ordering  pews,  it  should  be  remembered 
that,  in  design,  the  ends  must  correspond  to  style 
of  church  and  the  rest  of  the  furniture.  Then  the 
pew  body — seat  and  back — must  be  so  made  as 
to  be  comfortable.  To  this  end  the  seat  of  the 
pew  must  he  shaped  properly  and  the  back  curved. 
The  old  pew  with  the  straight-seat  and  straight- 
back  is  not  wanted  now,  except  in  churches  “where 
sitting  is  in  the  nature  of  a penance  rather  than 
a privilege.”  Pew  bodies  with  flat  back  and  flat 
seat,  with  proper  incline  of  both,  may  be  quite 
comfortable.  But  the  most  comfortable  pew  is 
the  one  with  correctly  shaped  seat  and  a true- 
curve  back.  The  pew  with  the  compound-curve 
back  or  the  back  bent  into  an  angle  cutting  into  the 
occupant’s  backbone  somewhere  should  be  avoid- 
ed. Such  pews  may  happen  to  fit  some  backs  and 
hence  be  fairly  comfortable  to  such,  but  to  others 
again  they  are  an  instrument  of  torture. 

The  pews  for  the  choir  may  be  made  so  as  to 
have  front  half  of  seat  attached  to  the  rear  half 
by  hinges,  so  that  when  the  choir  rises  this  front 
half  may  be  raised  and  folded  back.  This  ar- 
rangement gives  the  singers  more  standing  room. 

BELL 

A fine  church  bell  is,  both  in  city  and  country, 
an  important  factor  in  our  public  worship.  It  calls 
us  to  church.  It  joins  with  the  congregation  in 
vibrations  of  joy,  and  it  tolls  with  solemn,  mourn- 
ful beats  as  a member  is  followed  to  the  last  rest- 
ing place.  It  always  speaks  to  us  from  on  high, 


100 


from  the  realms  of  the  spirit,  as  it  were.  Hence 
we  do  not  feel  that  our  church  is  quite  complete 
without  a bell. 

But  in  buying  a bell  great  care  should  be  exer- 
cised that  no  mere  “kettle”  is  foisted  upon  the 
purchaser.  Quite  often  an  individual  member  of 
the  congregation  comes  to  the  pastor  and  offers  to 
donate  a bell  to  the  church,  and  such  is  a laudable 
impulse  and  offer,  indeed.  But  often  such  person 
may  not  realize  fully  what  it  means  as  a financial 
proposition,  and  it  sometimes  happens  that  a bell 
too  small  for  a church  bell  or  of  inferior  quality 
is  the  result.  The  pastor,  however,  should  here 
help  out  with  good  advice,  so  that  no  school  house 
bell,  but  a church  bell  of  proper  quality  and  pitch 
(A,  A flat  or  G)  is  hung  in  the  belfry.  There  is 
a great  difference  in  the  pitch  of  bells— it  depends 
on  size — but  even  greater  difference  in  quality 
of  tone. 

When  a fine  bell  is  placed  in  the  belfry,  the 
pastor  should  instruct  the  sexton  when  and  how 
to  ring  it.  Generally  among  us  it  is  being  rung  as 
though  fire  was  threatening  the  community  and 
an  alarm  is  being  sounded.  There  are  ways  of 
ringing  it  by  which  the  church  bell  may  be  made 
to  “speak  a various  language.”  There  are  correct 
ways  of  using  a bell  as  there  are  wrong  ways. 

ORGAN 

The  organ  is  quite  indispensable  in  a church. 
In  chapels  and  small  frame  churches  a reed  organ 
is  the  proper  kind,  of  course.  Such  an  organ  can 
now  be  bought  for  a sum  to  suit  the  purse  of  even 
the  poorest  congregation.  A reed  organ  with 
piccolo,  violin,  or  flute  reeds  should  be  avoided, 
as  these  fine  reeds  become  out  of  tune  by  the  least 
dust  settling  on  them.  If,  however,  such,  when 


they  become  discordant,  be  drawn  out  and  the 
dust  wiped  off  with  a dry  cloth  and  then  replaced, 
there  will  be  no  trouble  on  their  account. 

Organs  are  now  manufactured  under  various 
new  names  purporting  to  be  equal  in  power  and 
quality  to  pipe  organs,  but  much  cheaper.  They 
are  in  reality  pretty  much  the  same  as  good  reed 
organs,  excepting  that  they  cost  more. 

The  organ  which  is  the  ambition  of  every  con- 
gregation, as  soon  as  conditions  justify  it,  is  the 
pipe  organ,  the  “queen  of  musical  instruments.” 
Frequently  we  see  congregations  buy  a pipe  or- 
gan, while  in  their  church  there  is  no  place  for  it, 
or  before  they  can  afford  to  get  one  worth  in- 
stalling. A pipe  organ  capable  of  rendering  good 
and  reliable  service  must  be  well  made  and  will 
cost  considerable  money.  It  is  far  better  to  have 
a good  reed  organ  than  a cheap  pipe  organ.  The 
latter  will  nearly  always  be  defective  in  some  re- 
spect. But  a musical  instrument,  to  render  proper 
service  as  such,  must  be  in  proper  condition  in  all 
respects. 

Where  the  bellows  is  worked  by  hand  power 
there  is  more  or  less  trouble  all  the  time.  Either 
there  is  no  one  willing  to  crawl  into  the  little  hole 
minus  light  and  air  to  “pump”,  or  the  bellows 
squeaks  or  leaks  or  at  best  furnishes  a fitful  power. 
Some  use  a gasoline  engine  to  furnish  the  required 
power.  But  this  engine  is  a noisy  machine,  and 
even  though  it  be  placed  in  a basement  room  all 
its  own  it  will  disturb  somewhat,  especially  when 
the  church  windows  are  open.  But  in  the  country 
it  is  the  only  available  power  to  rely  upon.  In  the 
city  or  town,  where  there  is  a city  water  system 
or  an  electric  light  and  power  plant,  the  matter 
of  a silent  and  reliable  power  for  the  pipe  organ 
is  easily  and  economically  solved  by  installing  a 
motor. 


101 


THE  BUILDING  COMMITTEE’S  TASK 


ON  beginning  its  work,  the  building  commit- 
tee of  a congregation  is  confronted  with 
several  difficulties.  The  first  of  these  is, 
or  should  at  least  be,  to  determine  the  seating 
capacity  of  the  proposed  church.  To  do  this  well, 
present  conditions  and  future  contingencies  have 
to  be  carefully  weighed. 

Then  the  committee  must  ascertain  what  the 
funds  are  on  hand  and  in  sight,  together  with 
what  may  be  coming  as  a result  of  this  or  that 
circumstance,  of  which  not  the  least  important  is 
the  success  which  the  committee  may  have  in 
building  a church  that  pleases  those  people  who 
have  hitherto  appeared  indifferent.  There  is 
hardly  anyone  who  will  not  contribute  something 
toward  a beautiful  church  in  the  neighborhood. 
Very  many  of  the  apparently  indifferent  outsiders 
have  taken  that  position  because  pastor  or  con- 
gregation or  church  building  or  church  practices 
or  all  these  together  appear  to  them  too  much 
like  the  world.  They  do  not  see  how  they  could 
be  benefitted  by  associating  with  those  who  are 
no  better — as  they  see  it — than  they  themselves. 
But  let  them  see  that  the  church  actually  produces 
desirable  results,  then  they  will  be  attracted  and 
their  help  will  be  forthcoming.  It  is  indeed  inter- 
esting to  observe  how  this  quite  generally  proves 
true,  so  much  so,  that  even  the  building  commit- 
tee may  safely  rely  on  this  rule  applying  also  in 
the  case  of  church  building.  If  the  outsider  sees 
that  a real  church,  a house  of  God,  representing 
what  is  good,  beautiful  and  holy,  is  going  up  in 
the  neighborhood,  he  will  be  glad  to  have  the 
subscription  list  come  also  to  him — and  where  his 
treasure  thus  goes,  his  heart  will  be  also. 

The  next  is  to  determine  the  main  features  of 
such  a church.  On  this  point  the  individual  no- 
tions will  be  found  to  differ  widely.  One  member 
may  have  his  mind  fully  made  up  that  a certain 
feature  must  he  incorporated  in  the  plans.  An- 
other may  he  just  as  insistent  on  some  other  and 
perhaps  antagonistic  feature.  One  member  may 
have  no  ideas  as  to  what  the  church  should  be,  but 
is  interested  only  as  a carpenter  or  builder,  or 
perhaps  in  getting  the  largest  possible  church  for 
the  smallest  amount,  without  regard  to  exterior 
or  interior  appearance.  But,  as  stated  before,  a 
church  should  not  be  built  according  to  individual 
notions. 


Here  is  what  a building  committee,  realizing 
its  responsibilities,  did:  They  selected  an  architect 
who  had  by  previous  examples  shown  that  he 
understood  construction  and  design,  that  he  was 
in  sympathy  with  the  best  thought  and  feeling  in 
his  art,  that  he  had  respect  and  reverence  for  the 
principles  and  traditions  of  the  Lutheran  faith, 
and  thus  would  approach  the  task  in  the  right 
spirit  and  would  be  likely  to  carry  it  through  to 
a successful  conclusion.  With  him  the  committee 
spent  several  months  in  studying  the  history  and 
symbolism  of  church  building  by  means  of  a series 
of  illustrated  lectures,  which  the  architect  deliv- 
ered, followed  by  discussions  in  which  the  mem- 
bers took  part.  The  result  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  churches  in  the  Northwest.  These  men 
approached  the  problem  with  some  sense  of  its 
importance  and  a desire  to  learn,  and  the  result 
was  worth  the  cost. 

But  all  building  committees  may  not  have  such 
opportunities,  but  they  should  certainly  give  the 
problem  before  them  such  thought  and  time  as 
it  deserves  and  approach  it  in  the  proper  way. 
They  should  at  least  not  entrust  the  planning  to 
some  local  carpenter  or  contractor,  but  go  to  an 
architect  who  is  competent  to  help  them,  tell  him 
what  kind  of  a church  site  they  have,  what  seating 
capacity  the  church  should  have,  what  amount 
they  expect  to  build  for,  in  a general  way  what 
kind  of  a church  they  have  in  mind,  while  at  the 
same  time  they  are  ready  to  be  shown  something 
better,  and  whether  it  is  intended  that  the  church 
is  to  be  a temporary  building  or  a permanent 
structure  of  brick  or  stone.  The  architect  will 
then  prepare  for  them  a preliminary  sketch  of 
such  a church,  and  the  committee  will  after  study- 
ing it  return  such  sketch,  with  suggestions  as  to 
alterations  desired.  The  architect  will  make  a 
new  sketch  embodying  changes  pointed  out  and 
forward  this  to  committee  for  approval.  When 
the  sketch  is  finally  satisfactory  in  every  way,  the 
architect  will  prepare  working  drawings  and  blue- 
prints with  specifications  as  to  every  detail  of 
building,  ready  to  submit  to  any  competent  con- 
tractor or  builder  for  bids. 

The  architect  should  also  design  all  furniture 
for  such  church  and  would  be  able  to  give  good 
advice  as  to  stained  glass  windows,  lighting  fix- 
tures, hardware,  etc.  In  this  way  only  will  the 


m2 


building,  when  completed  and  furnished,  be  a 
consistent  and  harmonious  whole.  Not  only  will 
a church  thus  designed  and  constructed  with 
trained  judgment  and  good  taste  be  architecturally 
correct  and  a joy  and  inspiration  to  the  communi- 
ty, but  the  completed  church  will  cost  less  than 
it  would  have  done  if  the  committee  had  blun- 
dered along  in  the  usual  groping  way  and  had 
finally  left  matters  pretty  much  in  the  hands  of  a 
local  builder.  This  is  not  saying  anything  deroga- 
tory of  the  builder.  The  architect  and  the  builder 
do  not  belong  in  the  same  category.  Each  has  his 
own  special  field.  Building  is  a trade;  architecture 
is  an  art. 

Sometimes  it  may  appear  as  if  a building  erected 
according  to  plans  of  an  architect  costs  more 
than  what  a local  builder  would  erect  it  for  ac- 
cording to  his  own  plans.  Naturally  so.  I he 
architect  has  figured  in  every  detail  and  presents 
plans  for  a completed  building,  including  neces- 
sary decorations,  while  the  local  builder’s  plans, 
naturally,  without  proper  regard  for  requirements 
of  art,  though  starting  with  a lower  initial  cost, 
will  require  changes  and  extras  as  the  work  pro- 
gresses, so  that  the  final  cost  of  the  building  will 
equal  or  even  exceed  cost  according  to  architect’s 
plans — and  then  the  completed  building  will  not 
be  what  it  should  be  and  might  have  been,  had 
an  artist  designed  it.  Though  ever  so  humble,  a 
church  should  be  a work  of  art,  and  making  it 
such  costs  no  more  than  erecting  a shapeless,  ugly 
building.  But  a work  of  art  can  be  produced  only 
by  an  artist. 

Just  as  an  administrator  of  an  estate  would  be 
open  to  just  criticism  and  would  make  many 
blunders  costly  to  the  estate,  his  trust,  if  he  tried 


to  do  without  a competent  lawyer's  assistance,  just 
so  would  a building  committee,  entrusted  with 
directing  the  community’s  efforts  to  build  a 
church,  fail  to  discharge  its  trust  in  a safe  way 
if  it  tried  to  do  without  a competent  church  archi- 
tect’s assistance.  In  discharging  its  duties  to  con- 
gregation and  community  the  committee  cannot, 
therefore,  if  it  would  take  the  safe  and  proper 
course,  do  better  than  secure  a church  architect’s 
assistance. 

It  is  a common  trick  on  the  part  of  many  cheap 
local  architects  to  design  buildings  for  an  in- 
significant consideration  and  then  through  the 
contractor,  with  whom  they  are  in  collusion,  get 
the  balance  for  their  work,  the  contractor  in  his 
bid  including  such  “rake-off”,  due  the  architect,  in 
his  own  price  for  job.  If  such  architect,  as  is 
generally  the  case,  is  entrusted  with  looking  after 
the  interests  of  the  owner  of  building  going  up 
to  the  end  that  plans  and  specifications  be  faith- 
fully (?)  carried  out,  he  will,  of  course,  see  to  it 
that  contractor  will  not  be  out  the  sum  due  the 
architect.  Permitting  cheaper  grades  in  this  or 
that  material  to  go  into  building  will  easily  give 
him  a good  price  for  his  plans,  and  besides  he 
receives  pay  from  the  owner  of  building  for  time 
and  “expert”  superintendence.  Or,  perhaps,  he 
may  in  his  price  for  plans  have  stipulated,  for  a 
small  additional  consideration,  to  superintend  the 
carrying  out  the  plans  and  specifications,  thus 
making  sure  that  his  and  contractor's  interests 
will  be  fully  taken  care  of! 

There  are,  of  course,  many  other  ways  in 
which  this  same  game  is  played,  and  prospective 
victims  are  born  every  day.  The  building  commit- 
tee should,  therefore,  be  on  their  guard. 


103 


PARAMENTICS 

By  Rev.  O.  G.  U.  Siljan 


PARAMENTA  is  a Latin  word  which  means 
ornaments.  Especially  are  meant  thereby 
the  ornaments  in  vestments,  altar  cloths, 
altar  and  pulpit  hangings,  etc.,  with  which  the 
sanctuary  is  furnished.  Paramentics  is  the  name 
of  the  subject  under  which  these  things  are  treat- 
ed. It  is  closely  related  to  the  three  subjects  of 
art  of  which  the  Church  always  has  made  such 
liberal  use,  to  wit,  architecture,  sculpture  and 
painting.  Paramentics  is,  in  fact,  a sister  of  these. 
Though  she  may  be  somewhat  younger  than  they 
and  not  so  universally  known,  she  is  nevertheless 
their  sister. 

From  the  earliest  times  pious  souls,  endowed 
with  artistic  sense,  loved  to  decorate  the  sanctuary 
in  colors,  embroidery  and  textile  fabrics.  The 
Empress  Helena,  the  mother  of  Constantine  the 
Great,  the  first  Christian  emperor,  distinguished 
herself  among  other  things  also  by  her  zeal  for 
this  kind  of  adornment  for  the  house  of  God. 
During  the  Middle  Ages  this  art  flourished,  espe- 
cially after  the  close  of  the  crusades. 

Conservative  reformation,  represented  by  Lu- 
ther and  the  Church  which  bears  his  name, 
showed  great  piety  toward  the  traditional  customs 
and  all  works  of  art,  and  was  glad  to  retain  every- 
thing that  was  not  contrary  to  Scripture  and  sound 
evangelical  doctrine.  The  Reformed  wing  of  Pro- 
testantism never  had  any  use  for  these  things,  and 
the  bleak  and  bare  meeting  house  became  to  them 
the  model  place  of  worship. 

The  Lutheran  Church,  therefore,  has  made 
liberal  use  of  art  in  her  service  and  sanctuaries. 
Rationalism  and  Pietism,  however,  had  no  sym- 
pathy for  these  things,  and  the  subject  of  Para- 
mentics received  little  attention  till  the  last  cen- 
tury, when  Edhe,  Meurer,  Beck  and  others  by 
their  voice  anti  work  awakened  greater  interest 
therein.  Our  Church  has  a place  for  this  kind  of 
art,  but  it  is  the  place  which  the  Gospel  itself  has 
assigned  to  it,  namely  to  he  the  handmaid  of  the 
Lord.  But  as  such  it  also  has  Biblical  sanction. 
(Cf.  Ex.  35:25-27  and  30-35.) 

The  altar  especially  lends  itself  to  such  decora- 
tion as  comes  under  the  subject  of  Paramentics. 
I lere  is  not  the  place  to  speak  of  the  altar  itself. 
This  is  treated  elsewhere  in  this  book.  Permit  me 
to  say,  however,  that  with  the  pulpit  and  font  it 


represents,  as  it  were,  a trinity  of  holy  things,  and 
inasmuch  as  the  service,  according  to  Lutheran 
conception,  reaches  its  climax  in  Holy  Commu- 
nion, which  is  celebrated  at  the  altar,  we  may  well 
say  that  it  represents  the  Holy  of  Holies  of  the 
sanctuary. 

COMMON  ALTAR  CLOTHS 

The  altar  should  always  be  covered  with  a 
white  linen  or  altar  cloth.  If  other  covers  or 
hangings  are  used  this  should  always  be  on  top. 
It  never  varies  with  liturgical  use  or  seasons  of  the 
Church  year.  Underneath  should  be  a cloth  of 
somewhat  heavy  material  which  should  be  of  the 
exact  size  of  the  altar  table  and  should  serve  as 
support  for  the  linen  cloth.  Besides  being  an  or- 
nament, the  linen  cloth  covering  the  altar  table 
is  also  a symbol  to  the  congregation  that  the  altar 
is  the  Lord’s  table,  where  Christ  is  the  host  and 
where  He  feeds  His  guests,  His  own  disciples, 
with  His  body  and  blood. 

From  a Lutheran  conception,  however,  the 
altar  is  more  than  the  Lord’s  table : it  is  the  place 
which  symbolizes  the  spiritual  sacrifices,  “the  fruit 
of  our  lips”  (Heb.  13:15),  and  is  therefore  the 
place  where  in  the  worship  of  the  congregation 
such  sacrifices  (prayers,  praises,  thanksgiving, 
confession),  should  be  offered  up. 

The  linen  cloth  should  be  plain  in  that  part 
which  covers  the  table.  If  any  decorations  are 
given  to  it  at  all,  it  might  be  two  embroidered 
crosses  of  suitable  size  and  workmanship  in  the 
corners  at  each  end  of  the  table.  Over  the  ends 
of  the  altar  table  the  ends  should  hang  down 
about  half  way  to  the  floor.  These  ends  of  the 
cloth  may  be  finished  off  with  a churchly  lace 
(Hardanger  or  Cluny),  or  with  hemstitch.  In 
front  the  cloth  should  come  down  over  the  edge 
not  more  than  two  or  possibly  three  inches,  and 
should  have  the  same  suitable  laces. 

The  Corporal  is  another  white  altar  piece  that 
goes  with  the  altar.  It  is  used  at  Communion  as 
a cloth  on  which  the  Communion  vessels  are 
placed.  It  is  entirely  unbecoming  to  use  a huge 
tray  for  this  purpose.  The  Corporal  is  a square 
linen  from  18  to  24  inches  with  a narrow  hem. 
It  may  he  finished  with  a cross  in  the  center  or 


smaller  ones  in  each  corner  to  indicate  its  sacred 
use. 

The  Velum  is  a piece  of  line  linen  which  is  used 
to  cover  the  communion  vessels  before  consecra- 
tion. As  it  is  intended  to  hang  loose  and  free  on 
these  vessels  its  size  must  naturally  be  somewhat 
larger  than  the  Corporal  (24x30,  30x36  inches). 
It  may  be  embroidered  with  churchly  designs, 
especially  such  as  directly  suggest  Communion, 
e.  g.  grapes  and  ears,  or  the  Lamb. 

For  use  at  the  celebration  of  Holy  Communion 
the  altar  should  also  be  provided  with  the  Puri- 
ficator.  This  is  a napkin  or  fine  linen  square  about 
15  inches.  It  is  used  for  cleansing  the  chalice.  It 
should  have  a very  narrow  hem  and  a small  cross 
may  be  embroidered  in  the  middle. 

With  regard  to  the  construction  of  the  altar  it 
is  possibly  best,  in  order  to  avoid  too  much  crowd- 
ing, that  nothing  be  placed  thereon  except  the 
Altar  Book  or  Bible,  and  the  communion  vessels 
when  these  are  to  be  used.  For  candlesticks  and 
cross  or  crucifix  an  elevated  space  receding  from 
the  altar  table  should  be  provided. 

SPECIAL  ALTAR  CLOTHS 

In  addition  to  these  there  are  also  special  altar 
vestments  which  for  lack  of  space  we  can  give 
only  a passing  mention. 

I he  Frontal  is  a piece  of  cloth  that  covers  the 
center  base  of  the  altar,  both  in  front  and  at 
the  ends.  As  the  base  is  often  furnished  in  more 
or  less  artistic  workmanship  and  with  churchly  de- 
signs, this  is  seldom  used  in  our  churches. 

The  Super  Frontal  is  a piece  of  heavy  material 
(broadcloth,  silk,  damask  or  brocade),  fastened 
to  the  altar  edges  and  coming  down  on  all  sides 
from  12  to  18  inches.  Sometimes  the  Antepen- 
dium  is  used.  "This  is  a piece  about  2 to  2]/2  feet 
wide,  coming  down  in  front  nearly  to  the  floor. 
When  the  altar  base  is  of  artistic  construction  and 
finished  with  elaborate  designs  it  will  cover  many 
of  these  and  for  that  reason  is  not  always  to  be 
preferred. 

Liturgical  Colors.  These  altar  vestments 
are  in  five  “liturgical  colors"  which  vary  with  the 
seasons  of  the  church  year.  In  his  “Alter- 
s'chmuck”  Meurer  gives  the  use  and  symbolical 
meaning  of  these  colors  as  follows: 

White:  Festive  color,  joy  and  purity;  “color  of 
angels  and  all  saints.”  (Luther.)  Used  from 
Christmas  eve  to  first  Sunday  after  Epiphany,  and 
from  Easter  Sunday  to  eve  of  Pentecost. 

Red:  Also  festive  color,  especially  color  of 
blood  and  fire.  Used  on  Pentecost  and  Trinity 
Sunday;  also  Apostles'  and  Martyrs’  days,  Refor- 
mation, etc. 


Violet:  Solemnity,  earnestness,  penitence.  Used 
from  first  Sunday  in  Advent  to  Christmas  eve, 
and  from  Ash  Wednesday  to  Palm  Sunday. 

Black:  Negative  pole  of  the  color  scale,  whose 
positive  is  white.  Deepest  sorrow.  Used  from 
Palm  Sunday  during  Holy  Week;  also  on  days  of 
humiliation  and  prayer;  memorial  services  for  the 
dead,  etc. 

Green:  The  most  universal  color  in  nature; 
hope  and  outlook.  Used  from  second  Sunday 
after  Epiphany  and  from  first  Sunday  after  Trin- 
ity throughout  this  season,  except  as  above. 

T hese  various  hangings  or  vestments  may  be 
richly  embroidered  in  appropriate  designs.  These 
may  be:  Figure  of  Christ;  the  cross  (Greek  or 
Roman)  ; the  trishagion,  or  “Holy,  Holy,  Holy”; 
the  monogram  of  Christ,  J.  H.  S.,  with  the  Roman 
cross  in  the  middle;  the  Lamb  carrying  the 
standard  of  victory,  etc. 

I he  fringes  should  always  be  of  silk  and  with 
two  or  three  of  the  colors  used  in  the  embroidery. 
They  vary  from  2 to  4 inches  in  depth. 

(In  the  chapel  of  the  Lutheran  hospital  in  Mil- 
waukee may  be  seen  what  is  probably  the  most 
complete  set  in  the  West.) 

PULPIT  HANGINGS 

T he  best  pulpit  hangings  are  an  Antependium 
of  same  material  and  color  as  the  altar  hangings. 
With  them  it  varies  according  to  the  season  and 
occasion.  It  should  hang  down  from  the  bookrest 
from  20  to  24  inches.  Appropriate  designs  are 
monograms  of  Christ;  three  interlinked  triangles 
as  symbol  of  I rinity,  and  suitable  Scripture  pas- 
sages, e.  g.  “The  Lord  is  My  Shepherd";  “Who- 
soever Heareth  You,  Heareth  Me";  “The  Word 
of  the  Lord  Abideth  Forever,"  etc. 

VARIOUS  OBSERVATIONS 

While  Paramentics  has  to  do  chiefly  with  altar 
vestments,  I feel  that  something  should  be  said 
also  about  ministerial  vestments.  But  space  for- 
bids. Permit  me  to  say,  however,  that  the  black 
gown  (cassock)  alone  is  not  always  in  harmony 
with  the  season  and  occasion;  especially  is  it  too 
somber  on  festive  days,  and  at  Holy  Communion 
also,  other  vestments  should  be  worn  with  it, 
namely  the  surplice  and  chasuble.  The  complete 
vestments  of  the  Church  of  Norway  or  other  Lu- 
theran countries  seem  most  appropriate. 

Paramentics  offers  a wide  field  for  our  Chris- 
tian women,  of  whom  so  many  have  both  church- 
ly and  artistic  tastes  and  who  so  often  are  adepts 
with  the  needle.  Altar  guilds  might  with  great 
profit  be  organized  in  most  of  our  congregations. 
For  practical  hints  and  guidance  to  such  societies 


105 


or  individual  workers  I might  mention,  Hand- 
book on  Church  Embroidery,  Hints  for  Altar 
Societies,  by  Annie  Wells,  Geneva,  N.  Y.  It  no 
doubt  may  be  secured  through  our  Publishing 
House. 

Our  Deaconess  Home  ought  to  have  a depart- 
ment in  Paramencics  of  which  one  or  more  dea- 
conesses after  proper  training  might  be  in 


charge.  Lohe’s  institution  at  Neuendettelsau  has 
blazed  the  way  in  this  respect.  Such  a department 
might  be  a guide  and  inspiration  to  women  en- 
gaged in  similar  work  in  our  congregations,  and 
I see  no  reason  why  our  Mother  House,  thus 
equipped,  could  not  make  and  sell  such  altar  and 
ministerial  vestments  as  may  be  desired. 

Soli  Deo  Gloria  ! 


THE  INDIVIDUAL  COMMUNION  CUP 

By  Rev.  C.  K.  Solberg 


ALTHOUGH  the  use  of  the  “individual 
communion  cup”  has  not  become  very  gen- 
eral in  the  Lutheran  Church,  many  of  our 
congregations  have,  however,  already  adopted  it 
and  many  more  are  seriously  considering  the 
change. 

For  the  benefit  of  those  who  are  about  to  in- 
troduce the  individual  communion  set,  having 
used  one  in  my  own  congregation  for  many  years, 
I shall,  upon  request,  briefly  explain  how  to  use 
it,  and  state  which  set  I consider  the  most  practical 
one. 

There  are  several  very  commendable  sets  on 
the  market,  but  not  all  are  equally  convenient 
and  practical  for  our  Lutheran  Communion  serv- 
ice, where  the  communicants  receive  the  Sacra- 
ment as  they  kneel  before  the  altar.  When  we 
were  to  purchase  a set  for  our  congregation  we 
examined  several  kinds  of  sets.  Carefully  consid- 
ering everything,  we  concluded  that  the  safest 
and  most  convenient  contrivance  for  our  Lutheran 
Communion  service  would  not  be  those  trays  that 
had  to  be  held  on  the  palm  of  the  hand  during 
the  distribution  of  the  wine.  But  we  selected  a 
set  where  the  tray  had  a handle,  or  holder,  at 
the  end  of  an  upright  rod  fastened  to  the  center 
of  the  tray.  By  this  handle  the  tray  is  carried 
conveniently  and  safely.  There  will  be  no  embar- 
rassing mishaps,  as  there  might  be  in  using  a tray 
without  such  holder. 

The  tray  holds  24  to  36  little  glasses  or  alumi- 
num cups,  according  to  the  number  of  persons  that 
can  kneel  at  the  altar  rail  at  one  time.  We  use  two 
of  these  trays,  both  supplied  with  the  necessary 
number  of  cups.  While  the  hymn  before  Com- 
munion is  being  sung,  the  pastor  goes  before  the 
altar, .and  with  a piston  filler  fills  the  cups  of  the 
•two  trays.  Should  there  be  more  than  two  groups 
of  communicants,  the  pastor,  after  the  usual 
blessing  of  the  elements  before  distribution,  hands 
the  communion  cup  filler  to  his  assistant,  who 
retires  to  the  sacristy  to  fill  the  emptied  trays  as 
they  are  needed.  In  distributing  the  wine,  the 
pastor  carries  the  tray  conveniently  in  the  left 


hand,  while  he  takes  each  little  cup  in  his  right 
hand  and  holds  it  up  to  the  mouth  of  the  commu- 
nicant, tipping  it  slowly  until  it  is  emptied.  T his 
can  be  done  with  ease  and  grace  and  without  any 
danger  of  spilling  any  wine. 

This  way  of  doing  it  is  much  to  be  preferred 
to  various  other  modes  of  distribution.  In  some 
cases  that  have  come  to  my  notice,  the  pastor 
hands  the  cup  to  the  communicant  and  then  waits 
for  the  cup  to  be  emptied  and  handed  back  to  him 
before  serving  the  next  person,  or,  as  others  do, 
distribute  the  cups  to  the  communicants  and  after 
having  served  the  entire  group  go  back  and 
gather  up  the  empty  cups.  But  this  will  cause 
delay  and  will  detract  from  the  solemnity  of  the 
service.  Furthermore,  it  would  readily  give  occa- 
sion for  embarrassing  and  disturbing  blunders  to 
hand  the  cup  to  the  communicant,  especially  if  the 
person  is  aged,  feeble,  and  nervous.  The  mere 
thought  of  a possible  mishap  would  worry  and 
disturb  the  communicant  in  his  worship.  Let  the 
pastor  handle  the  cup  throughout.  The  moment 
he  surrenders  the  cup  to  the  communicant,  he  is 
no  longer  the  master  of  the  situation  and  cannot 
ward  off  possible  mishaps. 

While  the  first  group  of  communicants  retires 
and  the  second  group  kneels  at  the  altar  rail,  the 
assistant  takes  the  empty  tray  into  the  sacristy, 
rinses  the  cups  and  refills  them  while  the  pastor 
distributes  the  elements  to  the  second  group. 
While  the  third  group  is  forming,  the  pastor  ex- 
changes the  empty  tray  for  the  one  filled  by  his 
assistant  and  proceeds  in  the  same  way.  The 
assistant  has  ample  time  to  rinse  and  refill  the 
cups  of  one  tray  while  the  next  group  is  being 
served.  I he  exchange  of  trays  is  made  between 
the  altar  and  the  sacristy  while  one  group  is 
retiring  and  the  other  is  forming.  I here  is  no 
pause  or  noticeable  delay  in  the  service  between 
the  groups. 

1 he  wine  can  be  administered  just  as  quickly 
and  conveniently  by  using  the  individual  cup  in 
above  mentioned  way  as  by  the  use  of  the  com- 
mon cup. 


107 


CLERICAL  VESTMENTS 

By  Rev.  Gustav  Stearns 


THE  general  consensus  of  opinion  among  Lu- 
therans has  always  been  that  clerical  vest- 
ments are  adiaphora.  With  reference  to 
them  Luther  says : “Pictures,  bells,  eucharistic 
vestments  and  the  like  I hold  to  be  free.”  (Erl. 
ed.  30  : 372.)  “We  concede  that  they  may  be  used 
freely,  provided  pomp  and  luxury  be  absent;  for 
you  please  not  God  the  more  by  blessing  in  vest- 
ments, nor  the  less  by  doing  so  without  them.” 
(Form.  Missae.) 

It  became  the  custom  with  Luther  and  his  asso- 
ciates to  wear  the  “Chorrock”  or  black  clerical 
gown.  This  gown  was  not  the  vestment  used  in 
the  Roman  Catholic  churches  by  the  clergy  during 
the  sacrifice  of  mass,  but  was  the  garb  used  by 
those  who  had  scholastic  or  academic  training. 
It  was  the  garb  used  in  the  lecture  room  of  uni- 
versities more  than  in  the  churches.  Gradually, 
however,  it  came  to  be  the  accepted  and  rec- 
ognized uniform  of  the  pastors  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  in  Germany.  In  practically  all  the  pictures 
we  have  of  Luther  he  is  dressed  in  this  robe.  The 
“bands”  of  white  linen  used  as  a neck-piece  are 
a relic  of  the  large  lace  collar  which,  about  the 
middle  of  the  Thirty  Years’  War,  took  the  place 
of  the  ruffled  collar  which  had  previously  been 
worn.  The  Roman  Catholics  used  the  black  bands 
with  a white  border  and  the  Protestants  used  the 
white  bands. 

1 he  robe  in  the  Scandinavian  countries  dif- 
fered very  much  from  the  robe  worn  by  the  Ger- 
man pastors.  The  tendency  in  Norway  was  to 
retain  more  of  the  vestments  worn  by  the  clergy 
previous  to  the  time  of  the  Reformation.  Thus 
we  find  that  even  at  the  present  time  the  pastors 
of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  Norway  wear  prac- 
tically the  same  cassock,  stole,  chasuble  and  alb  as 
that  which  was  in  use  in  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  in  Norway  previous  to  the  time  of  the 
Reformation. 

In  the  United  States  the  majority  of  the  Lu- 
theran pastors  who  use  the  Norwegian  language 
use  the  cassock,  ruff,  collar  and  stole  used  by  the 
State  Church  pastors  in  Norway,  hut  do  not  use 
the  alh  (a  long  white  garment),  or  the  chasuble 
(a  garment  worn  during  the  celebration  of  Holy 
Communion).  I he  Danish  Lutheran  pastors  in 
the  l nited  States  wear  practically  the  same  vest- 


ments as  the  Norwegian  pastors  in  this  country. 
The  Swedish  Lutheran  pastors  in  this  country,  as 
a rule,  wear  a clerical  coat,  buttoned  up  to  the 
throat  and  the  white  linen  bands.  The  German 
Lutheran  pastors  in  this  country  wear  the  same 
robe  and  bands  as  those  worn  by  the  Lutheran 
pastors  in  Germany.  The  English  Lutheran  pas- 
tors in  this  country  wear  several  different  kinds 
of  robes,  but  the  vestments  which  are  used  by 
most  of  these  pastors  correspond  somewhat  to  the 
vestments  worn  by  the  Lutheran  pastors  of  Ger- 
many. One  difference  is  that  the  robe  used  by 
most  German  Lutheran  pastors  is  a loose  fitting 
garment  buttoned  in  front,  while  the  robe  worn 
by  the  English  Lutheran  pastors  is  a belted  gown, 
fastened  with  invisible  hooks  and  eyes  at  one  side. 
In  the  opinion  of  many  the  latter  is  a neater  ap- 
pearing garment.  Most  of  the  English  Lutheran 
pastors  also  wear  a stole  (the  peculiar  badge  of 
the  clergy),  a narrow  strip  of  silk  or  other  fabric, 
worn  over  the  shoulders  and  reaching  to  the 
knees.  Another  difference  is  that  the  white  linen 
bands  worn  by  the  English  speaking  pastors  are 
smaller  and  as  a rule  are  not  starched  and  there- 
fore do  not  give  the  stiff  appearance  which  is  so 
often  noticed  in  the  bands  worn  by  the  German 
Lutheran  pastors.  Some  of  the  German  Lutheran 
pastors  have  already  adopted  these  latter  vest- 
ments. One  of  these  pastors,  who  has  one  of  the 
largest  German  Lutheran  congregations  in  the 
state  of  Wisconsin,  asked  the  writer  where  the 
writer’s  vestments  had  been  made,  and  ordered 
the  exact  duplicates  of  them. 

The  writer  does  not  desire  to  enter  upon  any 
controversy  about  whether  or  not  vestments 
should  be  worn  in  the  Lutheran  Churches  in  this 
country,  neither  does  he  desire  to  enter  upon  any 
controversy  as  to  whether  or  not  it  is  advisable  for 
pastors  who  have  previously  used  the  vestments 
of  the  Norwegian  church  in  the  Norwegian  serv- 
ices, but  who  have  commenced  to  preach  also  in 
English  in  those  churches,  to  use  the  accepted 
English  Lutheran  vestments  at  the  English  serv- 
ices. In  other  words,  he  believes  it  is  absolutely 
wrong  for  him  or  for  any  one  else  to  commence 
strife  in  any  congregation  on  the  matter  of  vest- 
ments. He  holds  the  same  position  that  Luther 
held — namely  that  vestments  are  adiaphora.  In 


10S 


other  words,  that  it  is  not  a sin  not  to  use  them, 
and  it  is  not  a sin  to  use  them.  In  some  places, 
it  is  advisable  to  use  the  Norwegian  vestments  at 
both  Norwegian  and  English  services.  In  other 
places,  it  is  advisable  to  use  the  Norwegian  vest- 
ments at  the  Norwegian  services  and  the  English 
vestments  at  the  English  services.  In  other  places, 
it  is  advisable  for  the  Lutheran  clergymen  not  to 
use  any  distinctive  clerical  vestments. 

Perhaps  the  experience  of  the  writer  in  this 
respect  may  be  of  interest  to  many  and  assist  some 
in  solving  this  problem. 

The  writer  was  brought  up  in  a congregation 
where  the  Norwegian  vestments  were  worn.  He 
had  learned  to  love  these  vestments  and  he  was 
in  hopes  that  he  might  wear  them  when  he  took 
charge  of  a congregation.  He  wore  them  when 
he  was  ordained  and  when  he  preached  his  first 
sermon  in  the  church  where  he  had  been  confirmed 
out  in  Minnesota,  but  that  was  the  last  time  he 
was  permitted  to  wear  them.  He  took  charge  of  a 
congregation  in  Milwaukee  which  used  English 
almost  exclusively  at  that  time  and  which  be- 
came an  exclusive  congregation  several  years  ago. 

This  is  the  congregation  of  which  he  is  still 
the  pastor.  For  fifty  years  this  congregation  had 
been  opposed  to  clerical  vestments.  For  the  first 
five  years  of  his  ministry,  he  preached  in  a Prince 
Albert  coat.  He  never  felt  entirely  satisfied  with 
this  arrangement,  but  he  never  murmured  or  com- 
plained. He  knew  and  respected  the  wishes  of 
the  congregation,  but  after  a time  he  found  that 
there  were  a large  number  of  visitors  who  loved 


to  attend  the  services  of  his  church,  but  who  did 
not  feel  entirely  at  home  because  he  did  not  wear 
clerical  vestments.  He  had  a frank  talk  about 
this  matter  with  the  officers  of  the  church — he 
told  them  that  he  believed  it  would  be  for  the  best 
interests  of  the  congregation  and  for  the  best  in- 
terests for  the  spreading  of  the  Kingdom  of  God 
if  the  congregation  adopted  the  English  Lutheran 
vestments.  "This  he  did  at  the  suggestion  of  the 
late  Right  Rev.  G.  Hoyme,  who  had  ordained  him 
and  who  was  then  the  President  of  the  Lnited 
Norwegian  Lutheran  Church  of  America — the 
church  body  with  which  this  congregation  is  affili- 
ated. T his  venerable  leader  of  the  church  advised 
the  writer  to  endeavor  to  introduce  the  English 
Lutheran  vestments  in  this  particular  congrega- 
tion, owing  to  local  conditions.  The  writer  ex- 
plained to  the  congregation  that  he  was  absolutely 
opposed  to  starting  any  controversy  in  the  congre- 
gation on  this  question.  He  did  not  believe  any 
change  should  be  made  unless  it  could  be  made 
without  any  objection  even  from  a single  member 
in  the  congregation.  Those  who  had  previously 
opposed  such  a move  finally  consented  to  the 
change  and  the  new  custom  was  introduced  about 
ten  years  ago  without  a single  dissenting  vote. 
This  new  arrangement  has  given  entire  satisfac- 
tion in  this  particular  congregation,  and  there  is 
not  a single  individual  in  the  entire  congregation 
who  has  any  desire  to  abolish  the  clerical  vest- 
ments and  return  to  the  former  arrangements 
when  these  vestments  were  not  used. 


HOW  TO  OBTAIN  PLANS,  ETC. 


ARRANGEMENTS  with  Augsburg  Publish- 
ing House  have  been  made  whereby  this 
concern  will  furnish  at  a mere  nominal 
cost  plans  and  specifications  for  designs  A,  B 
and  C;  likewise  for  designs  XIII  and  IV,  pro- 
vided no  changes  in  these  designs  are  wanted. 
Complete  plans  (working  drawings  in  blue  print) 
and  specifications  for  the  other  designs  in  this 
book,  including  such  changes  in  each  case  as  may 
be  desired,  will  be  furnished  at  very  low  cost  by 
the  above  mentioned  concern.  The  Publishing 
House  will  place  the  customer  in  direct  communi- 
catioa  with  a competent  Lutheran  church  archi- 
tect, who  will  prepare  individual  plans  either  with 


one  of  the  designs  (customer  indicating  to  the 
Publishing  House  which)  in  this  book  as  a basis 
or  completely  new  and  original  plans.  In  this 
connection  read  pages  102-103. 

In  the  matter  of  church  furnishings,  art  glass 
windows,  etc.,  the  Publishing  House  will  do  its 
utmost  to  help  our  congregations  get  what  they 
want.  All  kinds  of  church  furniture  are  manufac- 
tured in  Minneapolis  or  vicinity,  and  the  Publish- 
ing House  will  be  ready  to  do  errands  for  our 
congregations  in  these  matters  and  exercise  com- 
petent judgment  in  so  doing.  Address:  Augsburg 
Publishing  House,  425-429  South  Fourth  Street, 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 


109 


i OTA  33  .is 


Let  Skilled  Craftsmen  Furnish 
the  Interior  of  Your  Church 

We  assure  you  it  will  not  cost  any  more  than  the  inferior  work.  Insist  on  correct 
Gothic,  Romanesque  or  any  style  required  for  your  church. 


m 


if  i 


M 


A 


ft 


Buy  Direct  from  Our  Ateliers 

Artistic  Church  Furniture,  Oil  Paintings,  Statuary, 
Altar  and  Pulpit  Hangings  and  Materials. 

Crucifix,  Candlestick  and  Marble  Goods,  or  any- 
thing used  for  the  interior  of  our 
Lutheran  Churches. 


Best  of  Reference  from  the  Pastors  and 
Congregations 


When  writing  please  state  what  you  are  interested  in.  That 
will  enable  us  to  send  you  the  proper  designs  and  best  prices, 
or  will  make  special  drawings  for  your  requirements. 


STAINED  GLASS 

MENEELY 

For  Churches 

Jfe=3f|  BELL  CO. 

<m  trox.=n-y- 

INTERIOR  DECORATING 
RELIGIOUS  PAINTINGS 

^ 177  BROADWAY,  N.Y.  CITY 

BELLS 

r A RL  RFTM  A NN  521  Jackson  street 

, Ha)f  Block  No.  of  cathedral 

MILWAUKEE,  WIS. 

Diploma  Awarded  1894,  Royal  Academy  Weimar 

FRESCOING  in  Harmony  with  Windows  and  Building 

i in 


A.  A.  RITCHER 

reading,  pa. 


T?  EPRODUCTIONS  of  Ecclesiastical  Art  as  these,  sculptured 
in  wood,  faithfully  executing  the  finest  details  as  given  in  the 
“Old  Masters”  originals,  have  been  the  work  of  our  studios  for 
over  forty  years.  These  hand  carvings  are  truly  works  of  art  from 
the  smallest  subject  to  the  Last  Supper  Group,  which  is  seven  feet 
six  inches  long.  We  maintain  an  establishment  at  Manitowoc, 
Wisconsin,  for  the  exclusive  building  of  Church  Furniture  of  every 
description. 

We  invite  your  correspondence. 


The  Good  Shepherd. 


Martin  Luther. 


American  Seating  Company 


Designers  and  Builders  of  Church  Furniture 


Minneapolis 
729-739  Boston  Block 


General  Offices 

14  E.  Jackson  Blvd.,  Chicago 


Des  Moines 
615  W.  Locust  Street 


ESTABLISHED  1851 

Geo.  Kilgen  & Son 

Builders  of 

PIPE  ORGANS 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 


The  House  of  Quality 
for  Tone,  Materials,  and 
Workmanship 


Tubular  Pneumatic 
Electro  Pneumatic 
Direct  Tracker 


Over  2,000  Organs  in  the 
United  States  and 
Canada 


Refer  to  St.  Olaf  College,  Northfield,  Minn. 
Over  100  in  other  Norwegian  Churches. 


CARL  RAUGLAND, 


Klagstad  the  Artist 


Makes  a Specialty  of 

Paintings  for 
Lutheran 
Churches 

Also  Dealer  in 

Church 

Furniture 

Following  catalogs  with 
prices  sent  on  request: 

No.  1.  Paintings. 

No.  2.  Altars. 

No.  3.  Pews. 

No.  4.  Church  Furni- 
ture, Pulpits,  Fonts, 
etc. 

No.  5.  Altar  Furnish- 
ings, Draperies,  Crosses, 
etc. 


I can  save  you  money  on  Church  Furnishings. 
Address 

AUGUST  KLAGSTAD 

309  Twentieth  Ave.  N.,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 


Ill 


W.  & E.  Schmidt  Co. 

308  Third  St.,  MILWAUKEE,  WIS. 

We  rank  as  the  oldest 
house  in  the  country 
dealing  in  Church 
Goods  for  Lutheran 
Churches. 

We  are  manufacturing 
Church  Furniture  for 
Lutheran  Churches 
since  over  30  years. 

We  issue  catalogs  for 
communion  ware,  altar 
brasses,  crucifixes,  candlesticks,  altar 
hangings,  oil  chandeliers,  hymn  boards, 
baptismal  fonts,  altars,  pulpits,  statuary 
and  oil  paintings. 

Any  of  these  Catalogs  will  he  sent  free 
on  request 


Luther  Windows 

//a\w 

To  commemorate  the 

I,  k/ 

400th  Anniversary 

of  the 

L-t.  -L-y*  ‘ 

WBM 

Reformation 

1 

| Designed  and  Made  by  the 

! JACOBY  ART  GLASS  CO. 

j St.  Louis,  Mo. 

i f*  i 

! Having  made  a careful  study  of 

this  great  Reformer,  we  can 

promise  a forceful  characteristic 

pmi 

reproduction  in  our  windows.  For 

Illustrated  Catalogue 

and  Inauirv  Sheet,  address: 

JACOBY  ART  GLASS  CO. 

Designt  s and  Makers  of 

Church  and  Memorial  Windows 

Dept.  C.,  2700  St.  Vincent  Avenue,  ST.  LOUIS,  MISSOURI 

Northwestern  Music  House 

CARL  RAUGLAND,  Mgr.  Established  1897 

Kilgen  Pipe  Organs 
Pianos,  Reed  Organs 
and  Phonographs 

Prices  as  low  as  the  lowest. 
We  have  a larger  stock  of 
Scandinavian  records  than  any 
other  firm  in  the  Twin  Cities. 

Write  for  catalog  and  state 
your  wants. 

520  Second  Avenue  South, 
Carl  RauKland.  MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN. 


ipe  Organs 

of  any  required  capacity  or 
style  built  to  order  accord- 
ing to  the  most  approved 
methods  of  construction. 
Work  of  high  quality  at 
moderate  prices. 

Also  manufacturers  of 
Chapel,  School  and  Parlor 
Reed  Organs 

which  we  sell  direct  from  fac- 
tory at  factory  prices.  Correspondence  Solicited. 

Hinners  Organ  Co.,  PeKin  in.,  u.s.a. 


It  Is  Worth  Looking  Into 

Before  buying  your  Lighting  Fixtures  come  and 
see  us  for  prices  and  designs.  Our  prices  are  right. 
Give  us  your  description  of  what  you  want  in  light- 
ing fixtures  and  we  will  quote  you  prices  on  same. 

Lighting  fixtures  for  residences  and  churches  are 
our  specialty.  We  can  meet  all  fair  competition. 
Oldest  fixture  concern  in  the  city. 

Yours  very  truly, 

Loberg  Gas  & Electric  Fixture  Co. 

Display  Room:  524  Second  Avenue  South 
MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN. 


Forman  Ford  & Co. 

Ill  to  123  Second  Street  South 
MINNEAPOLIS 

Designers  and  Makers  of 

Art  Glass  for  Church  Windows 

Our  beautifully  illustrated  Catalogue  of  Memorial 
Windows  sent  on  application. 


,A  pTT'r-tx.TinT? 


■ 


